Abstract:
Four wheat varieties, including Najah for dry lands and Mexi-Pak, Joni and Hurani cultivated under irrigated conditions, were subjected to germination test under moisture tensions of 0.3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 atmospheres, at a temperature of 6-15°C alternatingly. These conditions were simulated in germination blotters by aqueous mannitol of different concentrations. The speed of germination, root growth and respiration rate were observed to be inversely related to moisture stress. The four varieties used in this study exhibited significant differences in their germination response under moisture stress. 'Najah showed high speed of germination and root growth and high rate of respiration, whereas, the. germination and sedling vigour of Mexi-Pak and Hurani was severely affected at high' moisture stress. It was observed that the speed of germination, rate of root growth and respiration rate of germination seeds could be used as criteria for screening of drought resistant wheat varieties in a breeding programme by using mannitol solution.
Page(s):
1-6
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Year: 1981