Evaluation of Drought Resistance Stability of Agropyron trichophorum under in vitro Osmotic Stress

ABSTRACT: In order to evaluate drought resistance stability of different genotypes of Agropyron trichophorum considering to germination and seedling growth an experiment was conducted under osmotic stress. Experimental design was completely randomized design arranged in factorial with three replications. Experimental factors included 13 genotypes of Agropyron trichophorum and different osmotic potential (0, -0.4, -0.6 and -.8 MPa) imposed by polyethylene glycol 6000. The results showed that among different genotypes, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) as to studied traits. According to additive main effects (mean comparison of traits) 13-13, 2-13, 168, 6-7, 14-13, 8-4 and 10-6 genotypes were identified as superior genotypes. Based on multiplicative interaction effects (interaction principal components) 13-14, 168, 10-6, 7-5, 4007 and 1-13 genotypes showed the lowest interaction and the highest stability under different stress levels. Therefore, based on additive main effects and multiplicative interaction effects the 13-14, 6-10 and 168 genotypes were known as superior genotypes and showed the highest drought resistance stability regarding germination and seedling growth under osmotic stress.