**3.2. Experiment # 2**

From experiment # 1 two varieties (NARC-09 and Sahar-06) were selected which performed well under higher PEG concentrations showing their adaptation under drought conditions. These two varieties were then sown for further study. Equal quantity of sand (72 kg) and soil (72 kg) were mixed and filled in polythene bags. Phosphorus was applied to the soil prior to sowing. Ten seeds of selected genotypes were sown in each bag. Measured amount of water was added in treatments involving drought study while in phosphorus treatments water was applied before sowing. The experimental area was covered with polythene sheet to hinder the supply of water to the water treatments due to rain. The treatments includes; T1 = at field capacity (control), T2 = 10% below field capacity, T3 = 20% below field capacity, T4 = 0.2 g/bag (30 kg/ha), T5 = 0.4 g/bag (@ 60 kg/ha), T6 = 0.53 g/bag (@ 80 kg/ha), T7 = 0.66 g/bag (@ 100 kg/ ha) and T8 = 0.8 g/bag (@ 120 kg/ha). Phosphorus was applied in the form of P<sup>2</sup> O5 . Number of replications were three, therefore, the total number of treatments were 48. The experimental design used was completely randomized (CRD).

#### *3.2.1. Crop parameters and statistical analysis*

**3.1. Experiment # 1**

6 Global Wheat Production

of drought.

*3.1.1. Germination and seedling vigor traits (10–20 days)*

ruler and then the ratio was taken.

**3.2. Experiment # 2**

Lab experiment was conducted at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. Nine wheat varieties were selected namely, Sehar-06, Wafaq-2001, Freed-06, Dhurabi, NARC-09, NARC-11, Lasani-08, Bars-09 and Punjab-11. Thirty seeds were randomly selected from each variety and were sterilized with ethanol solution. PEG6000 solution was prepared at three different concentrations viz; 12.5 g/250 ml (−0.50 bars) (PEG−0.50), 25 g/250 ml (−1.48 bars) (PEG−1.48) and 37.5 g/250 ml (−2.95 bars) (PEG−2.95). The sterilized seeds of the above mentioned nine varieties were placed in the Petri dishes on the filter papers soaked with the above mentioned solutions of PEG. The sowing was done on 23rd October 2013. The effect of PEG on germination and seedling vigor traits of wheat varieties were studied to check which variety performed well under higher concentrations of PEG producing higher degree

Germination percentage was taken 10 days after sowing. Total number of seeds sown and the number of seeds germinated were counted and germination percentage was calculated. Fresh roots (of one plant per petri dish) were taken and were individually weighed on a weighing balance to get root fresh weight. After taking the fresh weight, the roots were oven dried for 24 h at 65°C. After 24 h they were weighed on a weighing balance for measurement of root dry weight. Length of individual roots was measured with the help of a foot ruler. The roots of the plants were removed and the above root portion, that is, shoot were weight on a weighing balance for the measurement of shoot fresh weight. After taking fresh weight, the shoots were oven dried for 24 h at 65°C and after that they were weighed on a weighing balance for shoot dry weight. Root and shoot lengths were separately measured with the help of a foot

From experiment # 1 two varieties (NARC-09 and Sahar-06) were selected which performed well under higher PEG concentrations showing their adaptation under drought conditions. These two varieties were then sown for further study. Equal quantity of sand (72 kg) and soil (72 kg) were mixed and filled in polythene bags. Phosphorus was applied to the soil prior to sowing. Ten seeds of selected genotypes were sown in each bag. Measured amount of water was added in treatments involving drought study while in phosphorus treatments water was applied before sowing. The experimental area was covered with polythene sheet to hinder the supply of water to the water treatments due to rain. The treatments includes; T1 = at field capacity (control), T2 = 10% below field capacity, T3 = 20% below field capacity, T4 = 0.2 g/bag (30 kg/ha), T5 = 0.4 g/bag (@ 60 kg/ha), T6 = 0.53 g/bag (@ 80 kg/ha), T7 = 0.66 g/bag (@ 100 kg/

replications were three, therefore, the total number of treatments were 48. The experimental

O5

. Number of

ha) and T8 = 0.8 g/bag (@ 120 kg/ha). Phosphorus was applied in the form of P<sup>2</sup>

design used was completely randomized (CRD).

Root length was taken at three leaf, anthesis and maturity with the help of a foot ruler. Roots of the plant were separated from the shoot and also any soil, if present, was removed. Afterwards the samples were weighed on a weighing balance. Root-shoot ratio was calculated by first measuring the root length and then the shoot length and then the ratio was calculated. Root fresh weight was measured by weighing the root samples on a weighing balance. Fresh root samples were oven dried for 24 h and weighed afterwards on a weighing balance. Root fresh weight and root dry weight are separately measured and then the ratio was calculated. Number of spikelets per spike was calculated of three spikes and then average was taken. Numbers of seeds of three spikes were counted and then its average was taken to get number of seeds per spike. Spikes were collected from the plants and were weighed on a weighing balance to get spike weight. 100 grains were separated on the seed counting tray and weight of those 100 grains were calculated on a weighing balance. The data obtained was statistically analyzed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine means and LSD at 5% level of significance was determined to compare means.
