Morphological characterisation of wheat mutants and its relationship with the tolerance to drought

Seven wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) mutants (RM-26, RM-29, RM-30, RM-31, RM-32, RM- 36 and RM-37) derived from the cultivar Cuba C-204 was characterized for their root morphology, anatomy and yield. The mutants were found to differ to various extents from the parent variety and among themselves. Under drought conditions in the field, RM 30 had the longest roots followed by RM-37, RM-26, RM-36 and RM-31. Root anatomy varied greatly among the mutants, the more drought tolerant mutants RM-26 and RM-30 found to have more meta xylem vessels, 6 and 3 respectively, compared with only one found in the parent variety. These mutants need to be further characterized in order to understand the role of their unique anatomy in water absorption and transport. The different mutants evaluated in this study can be used in future wheat breeding programmes in Cuba. (author)