Physiological and biochemical responses of seeds of different Triticum aestivum L. genotypes to osmotic stress

Abstract

Drought is one of the main abiotic factors limiting wheat productivity, especially during the early stages of development, when seed uptake and germination are directly dependent on water availability. Simulating water deficit under controlled conditions allows us to identify genotypic differences in plant tolerance to osmotic stress during the seedling stage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological response of seeds of different Triticum aestivum L. genotypes to osmotic stress induced by varying sucrose concentrations in order to identify genotypes characterized by increased tolerance to water deficit during the early stages of development.