In vitro Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Durum Wheat Genotypes (Triticum durum L.)

The response of twenty genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) against drought stress was assessed via in vitro mature and immature embryo culture. The reaction of derived calli to drought stress was evaluated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentration of PEG 6000 (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/l), using a 20×5 factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. The traits including, callus growth rate, relative fresh weight growth, relative growth rate, water content, tolerance index and chlorosis percentage under stress condition were studied. There were significant differences amongst genotypes concerning all the traits and response of genotypes to drought different levels. Cluster analysis of the mature or immature embryo cultures classified the genotypes into four groups, but the result of classification for each group of mature and immature embryo cultures were in different manner. It can be concluded that the genotype No. 75-5-3-5 showed relative fresh weight growth, relative growth rate and water content and lowest chlorosis percentage. Furthermore, this genotype showed superiority concerning in vitro drought tolerance. Therefore, it may be used as a drought tolerant genotype in plant breeding programs.