Evaluation of Wheat Genotypes for Growth and Yield Performance under Rainfed Conditions
Abaid Ur Rehman Nasir *
Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Gill Ammara
School of Surveying and Land Information Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China.
Muhammad Azmat
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Eshrat Fatima
Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zeeshan Hussain
Department of Agronomy, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
Faheem Zia
Institute of Plant Protection, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
Muhammad Umar Aslam
Smart Sustainable Agriculture Royal Agriculture University, United Kingdom.
Talou E Islam Inqalabi
Department of Botany, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
Mubashar Abas
Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Matloob Ahmad
Department of Agronomy, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research evaluated the growth and yield potential of five wheat genotypes viz., UJ-2021, Sindh-2023, Punjab-2024, NWFP-2022 and Balochistan-2020 under rainfed environment at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad during 2024. The major aim was to establish optimal and drought-tolerant genotypes in low water supply conditions. Having laid down three replications per genotype according to a randomized complete block design, the work concentrated on plant population, plant height, and number of tillers, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and biomass yield. Punjab-2024 genotype showed better performance than other genotypes in all parameters though variations were observed in plant population (210 plants/m²), plant height (112 cm), number of tillers (8. 2 per plant), 1000-grain weight (48 g), grain yield (520 g/m²), and biomass production (1. 50 kg/m²). On the other hand Balochistan-2020 had the lowest yield potential attributed to lower adaptability and productivity under rainfed environment. The current research is paramount in understanding ways of selecting better genotypes in order to increase the production of wheat under water deficit conditions. The results of Punjab-2024 indicate its enhanced yield and resource use efficiency in rainfed situation thus signifying its potential. The results are important for maintenance and improvement of high yielding and resistant wheat genotypes which would help in food security and sustainable farming. Future work should be aimed more at improving the low performing genotypes of Punjab-2024 and identify the underlying genetics for the said advantageous traits.
Keywords: Biomass yield, drought tolerance, genotype evaluation, rainfed conditions, wheat yield performance