Effect of Drought Stress and Management in Wheat - A Review

Abstract

Wheat is a major cereal crop in the world. However, drought stress causes a severe loss in the productivity of wheat in different growing regions worldwide. Water deficit at the critical stage of the wheat growth causes a significant loss in yield of wheat. Drought stress affects every aspect of wheat growth from germination to maturity. Drought stress hampers different metabolic processes in the plant. It reduces chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in the leaf. It increases the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which affects the various cellular mechanisms and also causes oxidative damage to RNA and DNA. Production of appropriate wheat genotype along with the adjustment of agronomic practices like efficient use of irrigation water, changing the sowing time and seed priming helps to minimize the effect of drought. Here in this review various effects of drought stress in wheat and its management options are discussed in brief.

Assessment of Wheat Genotypes under Low Irrigation Conditions Using Agro-physiological Traits and Grain Quality in North Delta of Egypt

“…Tolerant genotypes showed the highest enzymatic (CAT and POD) and non-enzymatic (proline) antioxidants [40] and [7] and they reported that water shortage tolerant genotypes had higher RWC, proline accumulation, enzymatic activities such as CAT and POD and lower content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Concerning yield and its components traits, significant differences were obtained between the two irrigation treatments, where all traits decreased under low irrigation treatment compared to normal treatment except 1000kernel weight which increased under low irrigation [41] and [30]. Significant decrease in number of days to maturity was observed under low irrigation treatment in all studied genotypes.…”

“…The reduction in plant height of all genotypes in low irrigation treatment compared to normal irrigation might be attributable to a decrease in relative turgidity and dehydration of protoplasm, which is linked to a decrease in cell division and elongation [42]. During the grain development time, flag leaf acts as a primary source of assimilates, accounting for 30 to 50 percent of total assimilates to the wheat grain [41], but water shortage causes and accelerates leaf senescence in various wheat genotypes [5], early leaves senescence causing decrease in grain filling duration [43]. Water scarcity near the end of the growing season produces a fall in grain number rather than grain size, resulting in a considerable reduction in wheat production [44].…”

Effects of constructing farmland with large amounts of iron tailings as soil reconstruction materials on soil properties and crop growth

“…Soil drought and water shortages are important factors restricting crop growth and leading to low yields in western Liaoning 57 . Soil drought reduces the water use efficiency, destroys photosynthetic organs, hinders crop metabolism and root growth, and directly affects the crop chlorophyll content 58 . Maize is the dominant crop in western Liaoning, its roots are mainly concentrated in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and the soil moisture content in the root layer directly affects crop root development 59 .…”

Comparison of Drought Tolerance of Some Wheat Varieties Grown in Turkey

“…10% PEG application increased the total chlorophyll content by 11% and 7%, respectively, in significantly with the increase in drought stress. Under drought stress conditions, root growth occurs in search of water, but the growth of the shoot is reduced (Dhakal 2021;Li et al, 2021). Root length of Karahan-99, Tosunbey, Selçuklu and Bozkır varieties increased by 10% PEG treatment.…”