Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

A field study was conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2005–06 and 2006–07 on wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes to find out the suitable genotypes for restricted irrigation application. The experiment was designed as split plot consisting of three irrigation schedules, viz. normal irrigated (control), two irrigations at 45 and 105 DAS (moderate stress) and no post sowing irrigation (rainfed) in the main plots and six genotypes namely WH 147, PBW 175, C 306, WH 711, WH 1024 and WH 1025 in the sub-plots with three replications. Restricting the application of irrigation decreased the leaf water potential (LWP), canopy temperature depression (CTD), transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis significantly over irrigated control. The grain yield under rainfed condition was reduced by 44.5% and 20.5% over irrigated control and two irrigations respectively. Reduced irrigation application decreased the yield attributes with maximum reduction in number of spikes per m² followed by number of spikelets per spike and ear length. Among the genotypes, WH 147 produced significantly higher yield as compared to other tested genotypes mainly due to its significantly higher test weight than other genotypes under rainfed condition. Genotype WH 147 maintained higher plant water status and higher rate of photosynthesis of flag leaf at anthesis than the remaining genotypes.