FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, cilt.25, sa.8, ss.3169-3178, 2016 (SCI-Expanded)
The main purpose of plant breeders is to develop efficient genotypes that are high and stable under drought stress. Tir wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp vulgare Vill. v. leucospermum Korn) is mostly of a mixed population and it grows rapidly after germination, which minimizes yield losses caused by late planting. Because it has a long coleoptile it is capable of germinating from 12 to 15cm deep cultivation. In the study, some of bread wheat varieties and Tir genotypes were compared at three different levels of osmotic pressure and classified with SSR markers according to the coleoptile length, as well as the germination percentage of the fourth and eighth days and relative water content, root length, shoots length, and fresh weight. The aboveground and underground dry weights were also tested for differences. When considered from this perspective, in arid conditions there is an important relationship between coleoptile length and the drought resistance index and that can be used in the evaluation of drought resistance. Thus, Tir wheat should be given priority in the breeding programs against drought resistance. Tir wheat, with its long coleoptile feature, shows tolerance against drought; it should take place in breeding programs with its genetic values.