Screening of Tetraploid Wheat Genotypes for Drought Tolerance during Early Growth Stage by Multivariate Analysis and Stress Indices

Abstract

Abstract Tetraploid wheat is selective concerning climate and soil conditions for high quality and yield. This study adopted, eleven cultivars used broadly in durum wheat cultivation in Türkiye and one hulled tetraploid wheat genotypes were used as the genetic material. To determine drought reaction of wheat genotypes, drought stress with different severities (-0.50, -1.48, -2.95 and − 4.91 bar) was applied by PEG 6000 during germination. The difference among the genotypes, stress levels and Genotype x Stress interaction was significant at the p < 0.01 level in terms of the examined characteristics. The tolerance and susceptibility levels of the genotypes were revealed by the stress tolerance index and stress susceptibility index. Principal component analysis and biplot graphs made according to the germination traits and stress tolerance index values of the genotypes clearly showed how the genotypes were ranked according to the tolerance indicators. Cluster analysis was performed to determine the genetic relationship among genotypes. Accordingly the varieties with the least genetic distance between them were determined as Çeşit-1252 and Kunduru-1149. Given the results obtained, drought tolerance of Eminbey, Kızıltan-91, and Sarıçanak-98 was found higher than other varieties. The findings of the present study have shown that drought tolerance and susceptibility levels of durum wheat and other similar plants can be reliably determined in the fastest, cheapest and most practical way with the applied methods and analyses.