Effect of drought stress on some biochemical and physiological parameters of bread wheat genotypes

Wheat is one of the most cultivated and consumed cereal crops in the world. A significant part of wheat production is carried out in arid and semi-arid areas, where limiting factors are mainly drought and high temperatures. Growth and development of wheat under drought stress conditions occur due to adaptive changes of various complex processes that constitute the mechanism of tolerance. The aim of this research was to study the effect of drought stress on some biochemical and physiological parameters of bread wheat genotypes. Drought caused an increase of proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide contents, and catalase activity in the flag leaf of wheat genotypes. The chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid content and dry matter in the flag leaf decreased under water stress conditions.