The Drought Effect on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Drought is a major abiotic stress that threating the producing and survival of many crops such as cereal. Wheat is grown on arid lands and drought often causes serious problem in wheat production on these fields. In this study, it was determined that the effect of five different drought stress (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2 MPa, by using PEG 6000 solution) on the germination of 4 different bread wheat cultivars (Tekin, Pehlivan, DZT13-1 and DZT13-2). The study was carried out according to completely randomized design in factorial arrangement with four replications. In the present study, important growth parameters like germination rate (%), seedling vigor (%), coleoptile length (cm), root length (cm) and shoot length (cm) were observed. Results showed when dose of PEG increased, seedling growth was significantly affected. Increasing drought stress was resulted with a decrease on germination rate, seedling vigor, coleoptile length, root length and shoot length.