Journal of Environmental Biology

Response of contrasting bread wheat genotypes for heat and drought stress tolerance for rhizospheric soil properties

O.P. Ahlawat¹*, T. Chugh², K. Venkatesh¹, R. Tiwari¹, P. Sharma¹, S. Sheoran¹, R. Singh¹, H.M. Mamrutha¹, N.K. Arora³, G. Singh¹ and G.P. Singh¹ 

¹ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal-132 001, India

²Dept. of Microbiology, COBS&H, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-144 004, India

³ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, India

*Corresponding Author Email : om.ahlawat@icar.gov.in

Received: 01.12.2020                                                                           Revised: 26.02.2021                                                                     Accepted: 04.05.2021

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed at investigating differential response of contrasting bread wheat genotypes for heat and drought stress towards changes in chemical and microbial components of rhizospheric soil for developing climate resilient wheat varieties.

Methodology: Rhizospheric soils were studied for changes in pH, electrical conductivity, cations, anions, micro-elements, major-elements, organic carbon and organic matter, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria(PGPRs) abundance at booting and anthesis stages of growth in four contrasting genotypes during 2017-18 and 2018-19 crop seasons

Results: The contrasting genotypes (HD2967 and WH730) for heat tolerance exhibited significant interaction between genotype and stage of growth for Na⁺, K⁺ and nitrogen, while genotypes (HUW468 and C306) for drought tolerance exhibited it for available nitrogen only. Significant difference for Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, iron, manganese, nitrogen and potassium levels were recorded in drought stress related genotypes at two stages of growth. The heat tolerant genotype showed 2.54 and 10.67 folds enhancement in population of N₂ fixing and spore forming bacteria at anthesis compared to sensitive genotypes, while drought tolerant genotype showed 1.51, 1.07 and 6.26 folds in P-solubilizing, N₂ fixing and general bacterial abundance.      

Interpretation: Contrasting genotypes for heat and drought stresses responded differently for chemical properties and abundance of PGPRs in rhizospheric soils.

Key words: Abiotic stress, Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Rhizospheric soil, Wheat genotypes

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