Relationship among agro-morphological traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Abstract

Drought is the most devastating abiotic stress factor worldwide. It severely limits plant growth and development as well as plant performance. In order to study the effect of drought stress on the relationship among agro-morphological traits, 34 bread wheat genotypes were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications under irrigated and rainfed conditions during 2012-13 and 2013-14 cropping seasons. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the effect of environment, genotype and genotype×environment interaction were significant (p<0.01) for all studied traits. Biplot analysis revealed that Harvest Index (HI), Kernel Weight per Spike (KWS), Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW), Flag Leaf Weight (FLW), Flag Leaf Area (FLA), Days to Heading (DTH), Days to Maturity (DTM), Peduncle Length (PL), Plant Height (PH) and Biological Yield (BY) in irrigated and the number of kernel per spike (NKS), chlorophyll content (CHL), FLA, FLW, BY and DTM in rainfed condition had positive effects on Grain Yield (GY). The results of correlation and biplot analyses showed that STI, GMP and MP indices were positively correlated with grain yield under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Based on the results, the superior wheat genotypes identified were G13 and G7. These genotypes thus may serve as parents for drought tolerance improvement.