Study of Bread Wheat Genotype Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Drought Stress

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of drought-induced stress on the responses of ten bread (common) wheat genotypes to the physiological parameters and activities of POX, catalase CAT, and SOD under irrigation and stress conditions. The results of variance and mean comparison analysis indicated that the drought stress increased the activity of CAT while significantly decreased POX and SOD levels. In comparison with the irrigated plants, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) didn't change significantly; however, the concentration of chlorophyll and the relative water content in the flag leaves decreased in response to harsh environmental conditions. The observations included a significant enzyme activity in cultivar's interactions with the environment, which indicates various biochemical reactions of bread wheat plants under stress and non-stress environmental conditions.