Evaluation of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes for Heat Tolerance Using Physio-Biochemical Traits

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted with wheat genotypes during the Rabi season of 2023–24 at Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya. The temperature was maintained around 38 to 40oC in polyhouse condition so that reproductive stage of wheat genotypes could face heat stress environment. The wheat genotypes were evaluated for membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll stability index (CSI), catalase activity, test weight and grain yield performance under heat stress. The cell membrane stability highly affected due to electrolytes leakage under heat stress. The test weigh and grain yield was less affected in high MSI genotypes. The chlorophyll stability genotypes stay green during terminal heat stress and maintained the metabolic acitivity during grain filling stage. High catalase activity genotypes prevent the lipid peroxidation and prevent plant from oxidative damage. Genotype NWL-102 had high MSI, CSI, high catalase activity and less reduction yield over NWL 101, NWL 103 and NWL 104. The heat stress significantly reduced test weight and grain yield under heat stress regimes. The tolerant wheat genotypes less affected as compare to susceptible ones. The high MSI, CSI, catalase activity and grain yield stability under heat stress environment may be use it as donor for further improvement of wheat genotypes for heat tolerant traits.