Response of proline accumulation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under rainfed conditions

抄録

　Drought and high temperature stress are the major limitation for the crop productions. Proline as osmoregulator in wheat plant under these stresses was studied through field experiments. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four factors i.e. the environment (2008-09 and 2009-10), sowing management (Planting windows PW’s; PW1, PW2, PW3, PW4 and PW5), genotypes (Chakwal-50, Wafaq-2001 and GA-2002) and locations (Islamabad, Chakwal and Talagang) replicated four times. Proline contents measures at anthesis stage of wheat crop depicted significant differences in response to treatments and among locations maximum value recorded at Talagang (39.13 μg g^-1) followed by Chakwal (32.36 μg g^-1) and Islamabad (24.55 μg g^-1). However among PW’s maximum proline recorded for PW5 (35.42 μg g^-1) due to exposure of crop to water and high temperature stresses as it was planted late. The inverse relationship of proline with physiological traits and grain yield was observed except for stomatal resistance where it remained positive. In conclusion proline accumulation improved the yield of wheat crop under water and temperature stress by regulating leaf water potential. Since, genotypes Chakwal-50 accumulated highest proline contents in present studies therefore; it needs to be considered for recommendation under stress conditions.