engleski

PEG-induced drought in wheat genotypes at the germination stage

Drought is a common abiotic stress worldwide factor that has a negative impact on plant growth and development thereby affecting wheat quality and yield due to climate variability which represents a considerable challenge to plant breeders. In plants, drought primarily causes an osmotic stress leading to cellular dehydration but effect of drought mainly depends on developmental and genotype properties. Seed germination is particularly sensitive developmental stage to water deficit so first step of our study will be focused on observing the influence of drought in the seedlings of six wheat genotypes (Katarina, Srpanjka, Kraljica, Žitarka, Antonija, Vulkan) under controlled environment, using polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG) solutions at two different concentrations (10% and 20%) as the moisture stress inducing media. During 14 days of treatments we will check the germination rate, fresh and dry weight of the roots and shoots, water content (WC) and the shoot/root length. As well, we will check the enzymatic antioxidant response in early plant stage. The aim of present investigation is to make preliminary survey of the seedling reaction to induced drought. We want to correlate specific parameters in different genotypes in early plant stage with differences in the antioxidative response. This will give us an insight if there are differences among wheat genotypes in the manner of better drought tolerance during the stage of germination which can be fast and cost effective screening method in the wheat breeding program of Agricultural Institute Osijek. Later we will complete the study by monitoring the drought response of the same wheat genotypes in the adult plant stages in purpose of screening the most tolerant genotypes.

drought ; seed germination ; wheat ; PEG-6000

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