Evaluation of Excised Leaf Water Loss and Relative Water Content, As Screening Techniques for Breeding Drought Resistant Wheat

Abstract

Significant differences between the generations were observed for excised leaf water loss(ELWL), plant height, spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike and 100 grain weight. Differences for Relative Water Content were non-significant. A negative correlation of ELWL with the yield components was also observed but it was non-significant statistically. The study suggested that these traits were not correlated genetically with yield components and did not play any role in yield enhancement rather they contribute towards the survival of plants under drought stress and can be used as early stage screening techniques in breeding programme on drought resistance.