Alterations in reducing sugar in Triticum aestivum under irrigated and non-irrigated condition

Abstract

This research was conducted with the objective of observing alterations in reducing sugars, which may play a part in distinguishing tolerant and susceptible genotypes. The experimental material consisted of thirteen wheat genotypes including eleven bread wheat advanced lines, one synthetic hexaploid and its durum parent. Seeds were sown in plastic pots and allowed to grow under normal irrigation for 32 days. Stress was imposed by withholding water for a period of 12 days. Subsequently, shoots were collected from stressed and non stressed young plants and the total reducing sugars were estimated. The agronomic performance of those advanced lines that were stable, such as CIM-47, CIM-51, NR-234, NR-241 and NR-264, had more elevation in reducing sugars as compared to others. This study therefore showed that stress tolerant varieties accumulated more glucose than sensitive ones. On the contrary, CIM-48 and NR-175 showed inhibition of sugars; and from their agronomic performance, they were also unstable with respect to yield and yield components. It was concluded that tolerant genotypes depict an elevated reducing sugar, and hence they could be useful in selecting tolerant varieties against water stress.

Key words: Reducing sugars, water stress, tolerant and susceptible genotypes, Triticum aestivum.