Evaluation of cuticular wax deposition, stomata and carbohydrate of wheat leaves for screening drought tolerance

Drought is a serious problem which affects physiological traits of cereal crops. This research was conducted to evaluate variation of morpho- physiological traits associated with drought tolerance in wheat genotypes to use in breeding program. Six wheat genotypes were planted in Completely Randomized Factorial Design arrangement with two irrigation levels; severe drought stress 20% Field capacity (FC) and control (80% FC). Results of morphological traits showed that tolerant genotype had significantly higher relative water content (RWC), epicuticular wax load (EWL), Leaf electrical conductivity (LEC), Total water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), Starch and stomata frequency in severe drought stress than sensitive genotype, but Leaf electrical conductivity (LEC) and stomata frequency in tolerant genotype were lower than sensitive genotype. In drought stress, starch content was lower than control condition. G4 had most sucrose and glucose content leaf, but its fructose content was lowest. Also breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, synthesis of WSC and starch and accumulation of EWL could be utilized as physiological markers for drought tolerance genotypes. Finally on the basis of morpho- physiological traits, G4 and G5 are drought tolerance and susceptible genotypes respectively.