Genetic improvement for deficit irrigation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted for four years in the central and peninsular India to examine the route to yield under deficit irrigation in bread wheat and devise suitable selection criteria for variety development. Yield components and genotypes were compared at two irrigation levels (zero and one) in the first two years whereas trials were conducted in the following two years to realize the yield potential and genotype specificity under supplementary irrigation. Majority of the yield governing traits responded to the supplementary irrigation but the magnitude of realized advantage varied vividly in the associated traits. In yield determinants; biomass, stem elongation rate, spike weight and a disincentive to plant height was common in both treatments. Delayed heading in zero irrigation and longer duration but quick grain ripening for one-irrigation were additional attributes of selection. Proper site selection and screening of the germplasm was found crucial to raise prospects of high genetic yield potential under deficit irrigation.