Response of advanced winter wheat genotypes to drought stress using agronomic traits and protein patterns

To study the effect of drought stress on agronomic characteristics of advanced wheat varieties, a split plot experiment with four replications was performed. Three levels of irrigations and twelve winter wheat genotypes (four resistant, four intermediate and four sensitive genotypes to drought) with two varieties, Azar2 and Sardari (as checks), were considered as the main and sub factors, respectively. The analysis of variance in three different irrigation conditions showed significant differences for awn length, days to physiological maturity, grain filling duration, 1000 kernel weight, biomass and grain yield. In sever stress (non irrigation after heading) significant decrease in grain filing duration, days to physiological maturity, 1000 kernel weight and biomass, but significant increase in awn length were observed. Differences between genotypes for all characteristics were significant. Interaction of genotype × irrigation type for all characteristics was not significant. Genotypes 3 (Ghafghaz//F9.10/Maya ―s‖ IRW92-1-D-474-OMA-OMA-OMA-OMA-IMA-OMA), 6 (DARIC 95-010-OMA-OMA-OMA-6MA-OMA), 14 (Sardari), which were most resistant genotype to drought stress, produced the highest yield. The calculation of GMP, MP and STI showed positive and significant correlations with grain yield in both stress and non stress conditions, it obviously indicated that genotypes 1 (Unknown-1), 3 (Ghafghaz//F9.10/Maya ―s‖ IRW92-1-D-474-OMA-OMA-OMA-OMA-IMA-OMA), 6 (DARIC 95-010-OMA-OMA-OMA-6MA-OMA), 7 (DARIC 95-010-OMA-OMA-OMA-8MA-OMA), 12 (RINA-11), and 14 (Sardari) had the greatest resistance, and genotype 11 (JANZ QT3685-0AUS) was the most sensitive to drought. The method of SDS-PAGE for glutenin storage proteins indicated that the genotypes which are sensitive lack a low molecular weight glutenin, but the above-mentioned protein was present both in all drought resistant genotypes and in the majority of intermediate wheat genotypes.