Screening on the drought resistance index and conditions for ×Triticale Wittmack at the seedling stage

The effects of drought stress on ×Triticale Wittmack seedlings were assessed in order to the develop simulation conditions for determining drought resistance. In order to do this, the hypertonic solution polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) was used to simulate physiological drought. Indices including water content, relative water content and conductivity, the content of malondialdehyde, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, soluble sugar and free proline in leaves were determined. The results showed that 30% PEG treatment for 28 days was an optimal simulation. At significant differences existed for most parameters determined in this study compared with the controls. We also found that the physiological indexes suitable for determining ×Triticale Wittmack success at the seedling stage were water content, relative water content, and levels of malondialdehyde, chlorophyll b, and proline in leaves. After drought stress, ×Triticale Wittmack seedlings grew slowly, and the contents of water, relative water and chlorophyll in leaves decreased, but the content of free proline and MDA increased