Multivariate assessment to determine drought tolerant genotypes to combat drought risk in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat is one of the leading cereal crops of the world. Being a staple food in Pakistan it gains more consideration by the specialists. With the increasing population and fluctuation in climatic conditions, it requires more attention to save people from hunger. Drought is one of the yield threatening stress in wheat crop and alarming for food security. In developing countries where water resources are not satisfied according to the crop requirement, drought tolerant/resistant genotypes are key to feed people. Although MAS selection and other advances in molecular breeding are done widely to compete with such stresses but still it is not contributing efficiently so breeding efforts should be emphasized to cope with drought stressed areas. Hence, there is a need to do genetic improvement through advanced breeding efforts and evaluation of best performing genotypes to get new hybrid/variety by combining their genetic potential in a proper way. By developing specific crosses and selection through proper breeder’s eye, genetic variability can be created for best executing genotypes that will also increase our germplasm. In wheat crop, genetic gain has been successfully brought out through breeding efforts by the breeders. The present research is done to gain genetic variability by combining alleles through hybridization and analyze yield contributing traits under drought stress and normal environment to select the yield boosting genotypes for this stress. Yield influencing traits are evaluated and ultimately exploitation of best genotype is done based on difference of performance and adaptability of genotypes under normal and stressed conditions.