Genetic Variation in Durum Wheat Genotypes (Triticum durum L.) Under Waterlogging Condition

Abstract

Durum wheat is mostly cultivated on vertisol, which is characterized by high water holding capacity and poor drainage due to heavy clays that inhibit infiltration, resulting in water logging during the peak rainy season. As a result of this, the crop is highly affected by waterlogging stress. This study was conducted to assess the genetic variability of durum wheat genotypes under waterlogging conditions. The experiment was laid out in 10 x 10 simple lattice design and conducted during the 2018 cropping season at the Debre Zeit research center on station and Chefe Donsa sub site. The result revealed that the genotypes had significant variations in grain yield with the range between 3515.25 kg/ha to 7539.25 kg/ha with an overall mean value of 5788.98 kg/ha. The maximum grain starch percentage of the genotypes was 68.13% (CD15DZ-ELT/1094/2015), while the minimum was 64.53% for (CD15DZ-ELT/off/1144/2015). The total grain protein content varied from 11.43% for (CD15DZ-ELT/off/1035/2015) to 15.38% for genotype (CD15DZ_ELT/off/943/2015). The traits that had high PCV and GCV were grain yield, thousand-grain weight, number of kernels per spike, and harvest index. The estimated values of H²B and GAM ranged from 61.82% to 92.48%, and 3.92% to 78.35%, respectively; the maximum and the minimum values being associated with grain starch percentage, plant height, and gluten index, respectively, in both cases. In this study, seven significant Principal Components which explained cumulatively 83.7% of the total variation were extracted. Generally, the present study revealed high genetic variation among the tested durum wheat genotypes and hence, can serve as a source of germplasm for durum wheat improvement under waterlogging conditions, where durum wheat is dominantly growing.