EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

In this study, seven water stress tolerant wheat genotypes including two exotic viz., Nesser and Dharwar dry and five local verities viz. GA-2002 Bakhar-2002, Chakwal and Inqulab-91 and Kolhistan-97 were crossed with university drought susceptible lines viz. 9244, 9247, 9252, 9258, 9267, 9316 and 9021 by using line x tester mating design. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of water stress on physioco-chemical properties of wheat grains. Moisture, ash, fat, protein, gluten, Zeleny, thousand kernel weight and grain yield values showed different response under normal and water stress environments. The quality traits of wheat grain were significantly affected under water stress conditions. The moisture content decreased while other constituents, predominantly protein contents increased in the entire cross breeds under water stress conditions. The protein showed positive correlations with dry gluten and Zeleny values while negative correlation with ash content of grain under normal and stress conditions The protein contents, gluten quality and contents have significantly negative correlations with grain yield and thousand kernel weights under stress condition, so it is imperative for breeders to balance these characters through genetic manipulation.