The effects of drought after anthesis on the grain quality of bread wheat depend on drought severity and drought resistance of the variety

The quality responses of two resistant (Mufitbey, Gun 91), two moderately resistant (Sonmez 2001, Gerek 79), two moderately sensitive (cetinel 2000, Bereket), and two sensitive (Kirik, Bezostaja 1) bread wheat varieties to drought after anthesis were investigated in field experiments conducted in irrigated and drought conditions during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons in Erzurum, Turkey. In drought conditions, for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, the highest grain yield was obtained from the Mufitbey variety, the highest protein content from Kirik and Mufitbey, the highest wet gluten content from Kirik and Gun 91, and the highest sedimentation volume from Mufitbey and Bereket, respectively. Drought stress decreased the grain yield, 1000-kernel weight, test weight, and kernel hardness but increased grain ash content in both years, compared with irrigated conditions. Protein content, wet gluten content, and sedimentation volume were increased by drought stress in 2011-2012, but decreased in 2012-2013. The environmental factors had a greater effect on the variations of quality traits than genetic factors. The influence of drought after anthesis on quality traits was primarily dependent on stress severity. The results suggest that moderate drought stress enhances the grain quality traits of wheat, but severe drought stress reduces its quality. The quality response of a wheat variety to drought stress is related to its drought resistance, and drought-resistant varieties can maintain quality characteristics under moderate stress conditions.

Automated summary

The study showed that moderate drought stress enhances the grain quality traits of wheat, but severe drought stress reduces its quality. The quality response of a wheat variety to drought stress is related to its drought resistance, and drought-resistant varieties can maintain quality characteristics under moderate stress conditions.