Effect of drought on yield of ten wheat cultivars linked with their flag leaf water status, fatty acid profile and shoot vigor at heading.

Flag leaf and shoot growth at heading stage as well as ultimate yield capacity of ten wheat cultivars were assessed in a pot experiment under normal and drought conditions. Drought was imposed by withholding 25% of field capacity from the 45- day old plants for 21 days followed by normal irrigation until maturity. Leaf succulence degree and stomatal opening area as well as shoot biomass, density and distribution decreased in all cultivars in response to drought but to different degrees. On contrary, leaf sclerophylly degree and water saturation deficit increased in all cultivars as a result of drought. At the same time, drought caused marked alterations in leaf transpiration rate, hair features, abscisic acid content, osmotic adjustment and fatty acid profile of the concerned cultivars; with ultimate variable capacity for yield. The drought- induced changes in the estimated traits were graphically represented in a single map then they were correlated with each other. The considered cultivars could be eventually clustered based on their drought response; with Sids cultivars being the most drought tolerant whereas Shandaweel 1 and Giza 168 being the most sensitive. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2020.