Physiological Traits Associated with Wheat Yield Potential and Performance under Water-Stress in a Mediterranean Environment
Araus, Jose L.
- 1Universidad de Talca
- 2Inst Invest Agr
- 3
- 4University of Barcelona
Journal
Frontiers in Plant Science
ISSN
1664-462X
Open Access
gold
Volume
7
Different physiological traits have been proposed as key traits associated with yield potential as well as performance under water stress. The aim of this paper is to examine the genotypic variability of leaf chlorophyll, stem water-soluble carbohydrate content and carbon isotope discrimination (Delta C-13), and their relationship with grain yield (GY) and other agronomical traits, under contrasting water conditions in a Mediterranean environment. The study was performed on a large collection of 384 wheat genotypes grown under water stress (WS, rainfed), mild water stress (MWS, deficit irrigation), and full irrigation (FI). The average GY of two growing seasons was 2.4, 4.8, and 8.9 Mg ha(-1) under WS, MWS, and FI, respectively. Chlorophyll content at anthesis was positively correlated with GY (except under Fl in 2011) and the agronomical components kernels per spike (KS) and thousand kernel weight (TKW). The WSC content at anthesis (WSCCa) was negatively correlated with spikes per square meter (SM2), but positively correlated with KS and TKW under WS and Fl conditions. As a consequence, the relationships between WSCCa with GY were low or not significant. Therefore, selecting for high stem WSC would not necessary lead to genotypes of GY potential. The relationship between Delta C-13 and GY was positive under Fl and MWS but negative under severe WS (in 2011), indicating higher water use under yield potential and MWS conditions.
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Attribution 4.0 International