Drought stress effects on water relations of wheat

Drought effects on the water relations of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated. Four cultivars, Kanchan, Sonalika, Kalyansona, a nd C306, were grown in pots and subjected to four levels of water stress at vegetative or anthesis stages or both. Exposure of plants to drought led t o noticeable decreases in leaf water potential and relative water content w ith a concurrent increase in leaf temperature. The higher leaf water potent ial and relative water content as well as lower leaf temperature were assoc iated with a higher photosynthetic rate. Drought stressed plants displayed higher canopy temperature than well-watered plants at both vegetative growt h and anthesis growth stages. Successive stresses at both developmental sta ges raised the canopy temperature much higher than in plants stressed only once.