PERFORMANCE OF ANDROGENIC DOUBLED HAPLOID SPRING WHEAT LINES FOR EXCISED-LEAF WATER STATUS AND AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR PARENTS

Excised-leaf water status parameters as relative water content (RWC), rate of water loss (RWL), leaf water potential (WP), which are conside red as indicators for drought resistance in wheat, as well as some agr onomic traits were evaluated in two parental (Pavon, Siete Cerros) and 60 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from their cross in a randomise d block experimental design with three replications in a controlled gr eenhouse. Significant genotypic differences were observed among the 60 DH lines for all traits studied, while there was no significant diffe rence between the two parents. Significant genetic gains were achieved based on a selection rate of 10% for RWC, RWL and most agronomic trai ts which also had high heritabilities. Genetic correlations showed an association of low RWL and low WP (in positive values) with high yield and most of its related traits; while high leaf water potential was a ssociated with high thousand grain weight and harvest index. Multivari ate analysis identified some genotypes associating high RWC, low leaf WP and good yield that have to be further evaluated in normal and dry field conditions.