Morphophysiological and Yield Attribute Analysis of Triticum aestivum L. (9 varieties) Under Drought Stress

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major vital crop all over the world and also a staple food cultivated over wide range of climatic conditions. Drought conditions during cultivation play a key role. The effects of drought range from morphological to molecular levels. Many stages of plant development are affected by drought. In present study growth related traits, phenological, physiological and yield analysis of wheat under drought and irrigated condition with 9 different varieties was done. Both drought and irrigated varieties were compared and a significant study was observed. The findings of the study reveal that some of the varieties showed positive results towards drought mechanism. GW503, GW173, GW273, GW366 and GW496 were tolerant varieties and amongst them GW496 was the highest tolerant variety whereas GW1255, LOC-1 and GW11 were susceptible varieties. Plant growth regulators and certain physiological mechanisms get activated during drought conditions. Plant drought resistance mechanism comprises of escape, tolerance and avoidance mechanisms. Osmotic regulations help to uphold cell water balance over accumulation of solutes in cytoplasm, reducing the detrimental effects.