Canopy Temperature Efficiency as Indicators for Drought Tolerance in Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.) in Semi Arid Conditions

Abstract: Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is one of the more widely cultivated crops in the Mediterranean basin, where drought is the main abiotic stress limiting its production. This study was conducted on the experimental site of station ITGC in Setif, Algeria. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine differences in canopy temperature (CT) and canopy temperature depression (CTD) of different durum wheat under both well-watered and moisture stressed conditions and (ii) to correlate canopy temperature (CT) and canopy temperature depression (CTD) with drought resistance indices value and yield of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) under both conditions. The results of study showed a significant difference between CT and CTD under both conditions and among genotypes. Under dryland conditions, grain yield and mean CTD were correlated positively (r = 0.32**), this correlation is similar to other studies (Blum et al., 1989; Royo et al., 2002). Similar results of correlation between canopy temperature (CT), canopy temperature depression (CTD) and grain yield suggest that the use of CT and CTD in screening for highly tolerant varieties to drought is similar. The significant correlation of CT and CTD with Mean productivity (MP) and Stress tolerance index (STI) suggests that CTD and/or CT can be favorite selection criteria in plant breeding for drought tolerance.