ETUDE DES CARACTERES D’ADAPTATION AU DEFICIT HYDRIQUE DE QUELQUES VARIETES DE BLE DUR ET D’ESPECES SAUVAGES APPARENTEES: INTERET POTENTIEL DE CES VARIETES POUR L’AMELIORATION DE LA PRODUCTION

Abstract

Various physiological traits linked to drought tolerance (osmotic adjustment, relative water content, and osmotic potential) were studied in ten durum wheat genotypes with a contrasted agricultural behaviour, and in accession of wild related species (Triticum.Durum cv Korifla/ Triticum dicoccoides 600808, Aegilops geniculata and Aegilotricum Amphipoide). The possibility of associating, in durum wheat, drought tolerance and high potential yield was discussed. Close relationships were observed between osmotic adjustment and water relative content and confirm the role of osmotic adjustment in tolerance to water deficit. Moreover, significant correlations were found between osmotic adjustment and field yield. Therefore, the results suggest the use of the osmotic adjustment and the relative water content as criteria of selection in the Mediterranean region. Also, the related species to durum wheat and wild species may represent, in the future, an interesting source throughout increasing biomass production and therefore the grain yield.