Comparative Morphological Response of Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) to Potassium Treatments Under Irrigated and Terminal Drought Conditions

Worldwide wheat productivity faces limitations due to environmental stresses, of which drought is a key factor, necessitating effective nutrient management strategies such as potassium (K) application to enhance stress tolerance and yield stability. Field experiments were conducted during the 2022-23 growing season to analyze the response of different genotypes to K concentrations under terminal drought conditions (TDC). Field experiments conducted during the 2022-23 growing season analyzed the response of eight wheat genotypes to three potassium concentrations (K1: 0%, K2: 1%, K3: 2%) under TDC. The study showed a significant positive correlation between yield and several plant parameters, including height, panicle length, number of spikelets, flag leaf area, yield per plant and thousand-grain weight. Results showed that K3 application resulted in significant improvements, especially under stressful conditions. Under irrigation, the plant height of Ghazi-2019 increased by 15% (99 cm), while the thousand-kernel weight of Subhani-2021 increased by 20% (69 g). In TDC, Akbar-19 yields increased by 25% (7.7 g/plant) using K3 compared to K1. Faisalabad-2008 yield increased by 30% under K2 (7.1 g/plant) irrigation. Applying K to wheat under both irrigation and TDS can significantly increase wheat yield in the later stages of growth.