Twenty one bread wheat genotypes introduced from ICARDA along with the
Egyptian check (Sakha 61) were evaluated for tolerance to water stress in two
sucessive seasons (199912000 and 200012001). Three moisture levels were used;
100% (control), 70% and 50% of field capacity. Water stress treatments resulted in
significant reductions in growth parameters, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll and yield
components, while proline content increased for all genotypes. Root length, leaf area,
proline, chlorophyll, NPK, sugar and amino acids were good criteria for drought
tolerance and they were highly correlated with yield components. Five genotypes
exhibited high dry matter accumulation, proline concentration and better yield
parameters under water stress conditions and were either equal to or better than the
Sakha 61. Two of the source parents (Kauz's' and Vee's') were common in the
tolerant genotypes and are potentially a good source for water stress tolerance in
wheat breeding programs.