WHEAT BREEDING IN A WATER-STRESSED ENVIRONMENT .1. DELINEATION OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY

To elucidate genotypic differences expressed through the grain yield o f drought-stressed wheat, 21 commercial varieties and advanced lines w ere evaluated in the field under a range of soil water levels to induc e varying degrees of drought stress. This paper presents data on grain yield and yield-based indices to indicate drought tolerance and droug ht susceptibility. AZS-4 was identified as drought tolerant and AZS-17 and 'Pavon' as drought susceptible. High grain yield under stress can be explained in terms of high yield potential, thus grain yield prove d to be the best indicator of drought tolerance.