In vitro-examination of genetic parameters and estimation of seedling physiological traits under drought and normal conditions in durum wheat

An investigation was carried out to evaluate genetic parameters of in-vitro traits including callus size (CS), fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW) and relative water content (RWC) under normal and drought conditions for seventeen durum wheat genotypes in a factorial experiment. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the genotypes for all traits. The results indicated that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits. High heritability and genetic advance of traits showed relatively low environmental effects on the traits and thus the chance of effective selection. Genotypic response to drought stress under in-vitro condition in terms of mean comparison demonstrated that the genotypes, 19E-M84859 (G6) and 19E-M141994 (G9) achieved higher levels of CS and RWC under both normal and stress conditions. The genotypes, 19E-TOPDY (G4) and 19E-142069 (G16) had minimum difference between fresh and dry weights in normal and stress conditions. These genotypes had higher genetic potential for response to drought stress. The germplasm evaluation based on physiological traits showed variation for some antioxidant enzyme activities and biomass of genotypes under both normal and stress conditions. The results of present study on genetic diversity among the genotypes may be utilized in wheat breeding programs.