Evaluation of physiological markers for assessing drought tolerance and yield potential in bread wheat

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been recognized as a valuable phenotyping tool in wheat breeding. However, technical expertise and analysis cost restrict its large-scale use. We examined the associations of ash content (AC), minerals content (Ca, K, Mg, Fe and Mn) and leaf chlorophyll content ( Chl ) with grain Δ and grain yield (GY) to assess their potential as substitute to grain Δ. We evaluated 49 wheat genotypes under two water deficit regimes (W 120 and W 200 ) in a rain-out shelter. Leaf chlorophyll content ( Chl ) was strongly correlated with grain Δ and GY under moderate water deficit regime (W 200 ). Significant and negative correlations ( P