ROOT AND SEEDLING WEIGHT OF BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) GENOTYPES AND RELATION WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

An experiment was carried out to assess of root weight and seedling weight of advanced bread wheat genotypes and relation with yield and physiological parameters. A total of 25 bread wheat genotypes were tested during 2017-2018 growing year in Edirne location in Trakia region, Turkey. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with four replications. Grain yield, biomass, canopy temperature, chlorophyll content, seedling fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight were investigated. The mean grain yield for four locations was 6161 kg ha-1. The highest grain yield performed by cultivar Kopru (7781 kg ha-1) and the lowest by G9 (6124 kg ha-1). The mean values of the genotypes were varied from 42.6 to 51.2 for chlorophyll content and G4 had higher chlorophyll content. Canopy temperature and biomass (NDVI) was measured at heading (Z55), and anthesis stages (Z69) of the genotypes. Biomass was scaled at three growth stages and there were significant differences (P<0.01) among genotypes and G16 had higher biomass. Roots of the plant were removed from a depth of 15 cm in the period of the Z25 growth stage. There were significant differences among genotypes for seedling weight and root weight. Root fresh weight was varied from 3.25 g (Selimiye) to 6.77 g (G13) and, the mean was 4.49 g. The mean seedling dry weight of the genotypes was 1.71 g, the lowest was 0.99 g (Selimiye) and the highest was 3.15 g (G13).Root weight positively affected grain yield. It was found a slightly significant positive correlation between roots fresh and dry weight with grain yield. There was a slight positive relation with seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight with biomass (NDVI) at Z55 and Z69 growth stages. There was a negative slight relation with seedling dry weight and canopy temperature at Z55 and Z69 growth stages. Grain yield was also significantly positively associated with chlorophyll content at Z55 (r=0.555**) and, negatively correlated with canopy temperature at Z45 (r=-0.534**). Results showed that seedling and root weight and physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content and canopy temperature could be used in selection in bread wheat for yield potential.