Evolution of Drought Tolerant Wheat Variety 'Khirman'

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the staple food crop of Pakistan and is being grown over a wide range of environments. Grain yields of wheat are highly affected due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Water stress is the main environmental constraints besides high temperature and salinity stress. New high yielding wheat varieties possesses better tolerance to drought are desperately needed for cultivation in wheat growing areas. A high yielding and drought-tolerant wheat variety Khirman has been developed and released for general cultivation in Sindh province of Pakistan. The variety has potential to produce better yield under water stressed environments. The variety has gained popularity among farming community. This book will present the case study of the release of variety 'Khirman'. The information will be helpful for researchers, scientists and students while selection and development of new stress-tolerant genotypes.

Autorentext

Dr. Mahboob Ali Sial is working as Principal Scientist at Plant Breeding & Genetics Division, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, Pakistan. He is associated with wheat breeding program as a 'Wheat Breeder' since last 23 years. He is the breeder of 3 wheat varieties Khirman, NIA-Amber and NIA-Saarang released by Sindh, Pakistan.