Association of physio-morphological traits in back cross inbred lines for yield under drought stress in varied environmental condition

Two sets of BILs derived from two crosses viz., ADT(R) 45 x Apo with drought QTLs qDTY 1.1,3.1 and 4.1 and ADT(R) 45 x Way Rarem with qDTY 12.1 and their parental lines ADT (R) 45, Apo and Way Rarem were evaluated in an irrigated (EI) as well as two drought environments (EII and EIII). Association studies revealed, predominant association and high direct and indirect dependency of NPT, PL, GPP, SFP with SPY in both stress and non-stress environments. Whereas, association of physiological traits viz., LS, LD, LR and DRS showed negative and significant relationship with grain yield in both the moisture stress environments. In spite of huge variations observed between the irrigated and drought environments, the BILs carrying QTLs have registered less reduction in yield and other contributory traits like PL, NPT, SFP and 1000 GW when exposed to stressed environments.