Effect of Moisture Stress on Leaf Water Potential and Relative Leaf Water Content in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Physiological response of six wheat genotypes to Water defibit conditions was studied. Leaf water potential (LWP) and relative leaf water content (RLWC) were used to asses the influence of water stress at four leaf, heading, anthesis and senescence stages. Different stages of plant appeared to be negatively correlated with LWP because with growing age, LWP became more negative. The treatment effects dr, LWP at different stages of plant were significantly different, maximum value was recorded for full irrigation folloWed by gradual decrease in one-half and one-fourth irrigation. Genotypes appeared to differ significantly at anthesis only Unlike LWP, treatments as well as genotypic differences for RLWC at heading and anthesis were significan i Among the genotypes, Barani-83 and Khushal-69 maintained higher LWP at anthesis, may be due to having drought avoidance potential, as their yield was comparatively less affected by external water stress. Sonalika and PR-33 appeared to tolerate lower LWP to produce reasonable yield hence can be regarded drought tolerant.