In order to develop genotypes with stable, higher yields in dry farming conditions, it is necessary to characterize genetic resources based on drought adaptation, determine suitable genotypes and then use them in breeding programs. This study was carried out at the laboratories of the Field Crops Department of Atatürk University Agricultural Faculty. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Turk J Agric For (2016) 40: 146-159 © TÜBİTAK doi: Research Article Evaluation of bread wheat genotypes for early drought resistance via germination under osmotic stress, cell membrane damage, and paraquat tolerance 1, 2 1 1 1 Ali ÖZTÜRK *, Bilgi TAŞKESENLİGİL , Kamil HALİLOĞLU , Murat AYDIN , Özcan ÇAĞLAR 1 Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey 2 Etimesgut Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, Etimesgut, Ankara, Turkey Received: Accepted/Published Online: Final Version: Abstract: In order to develop genotypes with stable, higher yields in dry farming conditions, it is necessary to characterize genetic resources based on drought adaptation, determine suitable genotypes, and then use them in breeding programs. This study was carried out at the laboratories of the Field Crops Department of Atatürk University Agricultural Faculty. A total of 64 certified and local bread wheat genotypes were used to test germination characters under osmotic stress, cell membrane damage, and paraquat tolerance. There were significant differences among genotypes with respect to the selection parameters in this study. Average germination percentages in osmotic environment treatments ranged from to , total root lengths were – cm, and shoot lengths were – cm. Seed vigor indexes ranged from to , cell membrane damage ranged from to , and chlorophyll content varied between and mg mL–1 g FW–1. Kırmızı Yerli, Conkesme, and Türkmen were considered drought-resistant based on two out of the three parameters tested. In addition, Yakar 99, Pehlivan, İzgi 2001, İkizce 96, Mızrak, and Gerek 79 were considered drought-susceptible based on two out of the three parameters tested. Kırmızı Yerli, Conkesme, and Turkmen, which were notable in .
