TY  - EJOU
AU  - Mehmood, Mudasser 
AU  - Khan, Zoahaib Aslam 
AU  - Mehmood, Adil 
AU  - Zaynab, Madiha 
AU  - Rahman, Muhammad Atiq ur 
AU  - Al-Sadoon, Mohammad Khalid 
AU  - Harshini, M. 
AU  - Wong, Ling Shing 

TI  - Impact of Drought, Salinity, and Waterlogging on Wheat: Physiological, Biochemical Responses, and Yield Implications
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 2025
VL  - 94
IS  - 4
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) is a staple crop critical for global food security, yet its productivity is significantly affected by abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and waterlogging, which are exacerbated by climate change. This study evaluated the effects of these stresses on vegetative growth, physiological responses, and yield. Field experiments were conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Mona Reclamation Experimental Project (MREP), WAPDA, Bhalwal, Sargodha, Punjab Pakistan. Stress treatments included three levels of drought (25%, 50%, and 75% field capacity), salinity (4, 8, and 12 dS/m), and waterlogging (24, 48, and 72 h). Key parameters measured included plant height, leaf area, tiller number, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results revealed that drought stress caused a 46% reduction in yield, while salinity and waterlogging reduced yield by 54% and 35%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Key physiological changes included a significant reduction in stomatal conductance (from 0.55 to 0.15 mmol m²/s under drought stress, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and chlorophyll content (from 48 to 28 SPAD units under drought, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Biochemical responses indicated elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), with significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). These findings underscore the need for developing stress-tolerant wheat varieties and implementing agronomic practices to mitigate the impact of abiotic stresses on wheat yield.
KW  - Abiotic stress; antioxidant enzymes; drought; salinity; wheat cultivation

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2025.059812