Selection Of Wheat Genotypes Grown Under Residual Soil Moisture : Drought indexing parameters and morpho-physiological basis for drought tolerance in wheat

The wheat genotypes were grown under 50% field capacity and 100% field capacity soil moisture conditions. Based on total dry matter production, grain yield and drought indexing parameters such as dry matter stress index (DMSI), yield stability (YS) and drought susceptibility index (DSI) some genotypes were found to be tolerant to drought. Some promising genotypes were grown with different soil moisture regimes viz. 50% field capacity, 75% field capacity and 100% field capacity conditions. Soil moisture stress caused significant reduction of plant height, tillers plant-1, leaf area, TDM plant-1, harvest index, root characters, CGR, RGR, NAR and yield. The extent of reduction of different plant parameters increased with the increase of drought severity and the highest reduction was found at 50% FC. A few genotypes appeared to be drought tolerant indicating the least grain yield reduction. Drought tolerant genotypes showed higher CGR and RGR and TDM compared to susceptible genotypes which contributed higher TDM plant-1 under water stress condition.