Biochemical analysis of stem in lodging tolerant and susceptible wheat (Triticum aestivum l.) genotypes under normal and late sown conditions

A field experiment was conducted with six wheat genotypes including three lodging tolerant (HD2329, Raj-4014 and Raj-3765) and three lodging susceptible (HD-2913, C-306 and RR-3) at three different dates of sowing viz. normal, late and very late sowing to assess the inter-relationship between lodging, physiological and biochemical traits in lodging tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that the stem strength and lodging resistance factor index were significantly higher in tolerant genotypes than the susceptible one. Lodging tolerance was associated with higher concentrations of nutients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and minerals like silica, and cell wall components like lignin and hemi-cellulose content in the stem of tolerant genotypes.