What the study found
The study found that heat tolerance in 25 wheat genotypes varied by location, and a few genotypes were consistently tolerant across both test sites. It also found substantial genetic diversity among the genotypes based on SSR (simple sequence repeat) and STS (sequence-tagged site) markers.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that genetic diversity is important for plant breeding because it provides breeders with genetic resources to develop improved varieties with stress-resistant traits. The study suggests that identifying heat-tolerant genotypes may help breeding efforts for heat stress.
What the researchers tested
The researchers evaluated 25 wheat genotypes during the 2020-21 Rabi season under four environmental conditions: timely sown and late sown conditions at two sites in Punjab and Haryana. They used an Alpha Lattice Design with two replications and assessed heat susceptibility with the Heat Susceptibility Index (HSI), along with genetic diversity analysis using SSR and STS markers.
What worked and what didn't
At Jalandhar, DBW187, HD3298, HI1612, DBW303, PBW644, NIAW3170, HD3086, HD3118, and DBW88 were classified as tolerant, while DBW222, WB-2, DBW173, DBW90, PBW771, HD3043, HI1605, and HD3249 were susceptible. At Karnal, DBW222, HD3086, DBW173, WB-2, DBW90, HI1605, DBW88, PBW771, HD3043, NIAW3170, and HD3249 were tolerant, while DBW303, DBW187, HD3298, PBW644, HD3118, and HI1612 were susceptible; across both locations, HD2967, WH1142, HD3171, and WH1270 were consistently tolerant, and DBW71, K1317, WH1105, and HI1628 were consistently susceptible. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.61 to 0.94, with the highest similarity reported for DBW187/WH1270, HD3086/WH1142, DBW173/HD3298, and DBW90/WH1105.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the specific locations, season, and set of 25 genotypes tested. The results apply to the environmental conditions and marker analysis used in this study.
Key points
- Heat tolerance differed across locations for the same wheat genotypes.
- HD2967, WH1142, HD3171, and WH1270 were consistently tolerant at both sites.
- DBW71, K1317, WH1105, and HI1628 were consistently susceptible at both sites.
- SSR and STS marker analysis showed genetic similarity values from 0.61 to 0.94.
- The genotype pairs DBW187/WH1270, HD3086/WH1142, DBW173/HD3298, and DBW90/WH1105 had the highest similarity index of 0.94.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Wheat genotypes differed in heat tolerance and genetic similarity
- Authors:
- J N Rajitha, K Rajneesh, K P Manoj, A Rajesh, C N Mishra, M Upama
- Institutions:
- Gautam Buddha University, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Lovely Professional University, Lovely Professional University, Lovely Professional University
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-21
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by David Billington on Unsplash · Unsplash License
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