@article{fdi:010092857,
  title = {{A}gronomic performance and water use efficiency of newly developed wheat populations under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions},
  author = {{M}utanda, {M}. and {S}himelis, {H}. and {C}haplot, {V}incent and {S}hamuyarira, {K}. {W}. and {F}iglan, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{L}imited and variable rainfall conditions during flowering and grain filling stages remain the leading cause of poor yields and quality in the major produced crops, including wheat. {C}ultivating water-use-efficient wheat cultivars will buffer yield stability and environmental plasticity to achieve food security and economic opportunities. {T}herefore, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance and water use efficiency ({WUE}) of newly bred wheat populations under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions to select drought-tolerant families for genetic advancement and production. {F}ield experiments were conducted in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons to evaluate 100 genotypes (10 parental lines and 90 families) using a 5 x 20 alpha-lattice design under drought-stressed ({DS}) and non-stressed ({NS}) conditions. {C}ontrolled experiments were conducted using custom-made plastic mulch under field conditions. {T}he following agronomic traits were recorded: number of days to 50% heading ({DTH}), number of days to 50% maturity ({DTM}), plant height ({PH}), number of productive tillers ({TN}) per plant, spike length ({SL}), number of spikelets per spike ({SPS}), spike weight ({SW}), grain yield ({GY}), shoot biomass ({SB}), root biomass ({RB}), and total plant biomass ({PB}). {T}he water use efficiency for grain yield ({WUE}gy), shoot biomass ({WUE}sb), root biomass ({WUE}rb) and total plant biomass ({WUE}pb) were calculated. {E}ight drought tolerance indices were computed based on grain yield response under {DS} and {NS} conditions. {S}ignificant (p < 0.05) genetic variations were recorded for agronomic traits and {WUE} variables. {T}he mean grain yield value of the {F}-3 families was higher by 29.42% and {WUE} by 25.00% than the parental lines under {DS} conditions. {A}mong the {F}-3 wheat populations, the {WUE}gy ranged from 0.05 g mm(-1) ({LM}47 {X} {LM}70) to 0.21 g mm(-1) ({BW}141 {X} {LM}71) under {DS} conditions, whilst the {WUE}gy for the parental lines ranged from 0.08 ({BW}162) to 0.18 ({LM}48) under {DS}. {T}wenty one percent of the wheat populations had greater drought indices than parental lines. {F}amilies, {BW}141 {X} {LM}71, {LM}71 {X} {BW}162, {BW}140 {X} {LM}70, {BW}162 {X} {BW}140, {BW}141 {X} {LM}26, {BW}162 {X} {LM}71, {BW}152 {X} {LM}71, {LM}70 {X} {BW}141, {LM}75 {X} {LM}47 and {LM}70 {X} {BW}140 were selected for their high grain yield production and high {WUE}gy under {DS} conditions. {T}hese genotypes are recommended for further selection and deployment as new cultivars in {S}outh {A}frica or other water-limited agro-ecologies.},
  keywords = {{B}iomass production ; {D}rought stress ; {G}rain yield ; {M}ean productivity ; {W}ater use efficiency ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{D}iscover {A}pplied {S}ciences},
  volume = {7},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {176 [18 p.]},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1007/s42452-025-06605-1},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092857},
}