Molecular Diversity and Biochemical Correlation of Wheat Genotypes against Heat Stress

The experiment was carried out using fourteen wheat genotypes of that seven were heat tolerant and seven were heat susceptible. Seeds were grown in germination bag filled with soil for 10 days. Total 12 Operon series RAPD primers were amplified to generate the 105 fragments. The percent polymorphism obtained for RAPD primers ranged from 71.4% to 100% with an average value of 92.33% per primer. Subcluster A1 (b) of cluster- I consisted of only one heat tolerant genotype J-2010-06 with more than 66% of similarity. Subcluster A2 of cluster-I consisted of only one heat susceptible genotype J-2010-13 similarity of more than 85%. Cluster-II consisted of two genotypes J-2010-05 and GW-190 showing similarity of more than 85% that belongs to heat tolerant groups. Pearson correlation was carried out between six parameters like relative water content, membrane stability, membrane injury, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide content and chlorophyll stability index. Fourteen wheat genotypes were used for correlation analysis including six screening parameters as listed above. From the results, it was concluded that genotypes J-2010-05 and GW-190 belong to same cluster and both are heat tolerant genotypes. As well from biochemical correlation, membrane stability and relative water content were potent parameters for screening of heat tolerant and heat susceptible wheat genotype against heat stress.