Differences in the level of D-glucose and sucrose among durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var durum L.) genotypes differing in their responses to drought stress

Abstract

The effect of drought stress on the content of water soluble carbohydrate (sucrose and D-glucose) was investigated in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var durum L.) above ground organs to assess and characterise the responses of genotypes with differing responses to drought stress. Six durum wheat genotypes were grown at optimum and stress moisture levels in a glasshouse. Total D-glucose and sucrose level of leaves, stems and spikes were determined and analysed over different growth stages. Drought tolerant genotypes consistently accumulated more D-glucose and sucrose, with the highest level expressed in the stems. D-glucose accumulation in all organs of the tolerant genotypes was highest at early growth stages while it was highest in later growth stages of the susceptible types. The accumulation of sucrose in the spikes of stress tolerant genotypes increased after anthesis as the level of sucrose in the stems declined.