The Effects of Water Stress on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Bread Wheat

Abstract

The study was carried out with 24 wheat genotypes at different drought levels. The 24 genotypes used in the study were determined based on data from 45 genotypes at drought levels created with PEG. The experiment was carried out in plastic tubes 30 cm wide × 70 cm high. In the study, plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, root length and root weight were investigated. When the plants were grown in tubes with 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% field capacity, the highest values for all properties, except plant height, were obtained in plants with 100% field capacity. According to the data obtained, Bora, NKU Ergene, Enola and Rumeli were least affected by drought, while LG 59, Adelaide and Kavlıca genotypes were most affected by drought. Root length increased with drought and the longest roots were at 25% field capacity, which was the highest level of drought. The root weight was highest at 100% field capacity and lowest at 25% field capacity. Spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike decreased significantly as the level of drought increased.