Department of Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agric. University, Hisar-125 004, India.
Genotypes differed in their responses at both stages of plant growth for all characters. Significant genotype × year interaction indicated differential responses of genotypes over the years. Continued water deficit resulted in reduced mean values and variability for all characters. The varieties WH 147, WH 147 (U) showed a combination of traits like drought tolerance, water retention and grain yield, whereas C 306, Kharchia 65 and Hindi 62 showed least percentage of injury in plasma membrane and better water retention in leaves. Relative water content and excised-leaf water loss appeared to be the important characters as the varieties having better tolerance also had better performance in the these characters.
