Morpho-Physiological Variability Studies in F6 Populations of Durum Wheat ( Triticum durum Desf.) evaluated under Semi-arid Mediterranean Conditions

摘要

This study was conducted with the objective to assess the morpho-physiological variability in three F6 populations of durum wheat (Triticumdurum Desf.) evaluated under semi-arid conditions. The results indicated that early selection practice in F2 generation based on canopytemperature could improve the tillering capacity and the grains number per unit area, as well as the economic yield. Ofanto/Mrb5populations recorded the highest yield performance, followed by Ofanto/Waha in the second position and Ofanto/MBB at the end. Theseresults suggested that grain yield is largely dependant of the physiological traits such as canopy temperature, relative water content, cellinjury and chlorophyll content. Selection for improvement of such trait will be rewarding.