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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp4 (2026): National Symposium on Recent Advances in Life Sciences

Screening of bread wheat genotypes for heat tolerance using physiological traits

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12887
Submitted
23 November 2025
Published
01-07-2026

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an important cereal crop for most of the world's population. Wheat originated in south-western Asia, but because of its vast adaptability, it may be produced in a variety of agroclimatic zones, including tropical, subtropical and temperate zones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat stress on physiological traits. Field experiments for evaluating heat tolerance-related physiological traits were conducted for two years, 2021–22 and 2022–23. The physiological traits like chlorophyll content (CHL), relative water content (RWC) and canopy temperature (CT) were recorded under timely sown (TS) and late sown (LS) conditions. Chlorophyll content declined under terminal heat stress, indicating reduced photosynthetic capacity and accelerated senescence in sensitive genotypes. Relative water content (RWC) decreased significantly under stress conditions, reflecting impaired plant water status and reduced cellular hydration. Canopy temperature increased under heat stress, suggesting reduced transpirational cooling and stomatal regulation. Average value of relative water content 82.3.0 % in TS and 74.2 % in LS conditions crop season 2021–22. And in crop season 2022–23, 89.3 % in TS and 76.6 % in LS conditions respectively. Average value of CHL 30.0mg/g in TS and 28.5mg/g in LS conditions, in crop season 2021–22. And in crop season 2022–23, 34.1 mg/g in TS and 27.3mg/g in LS conditions respectively. These physiological traits proved effective indicators for screening and identifying heat-tolerant wheat genotypes. The study emphasises the importance of integrating physiological parameters into breeding programs aimed at improving heat stress resilience in wheat.

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