Frost Hardiness of Iraqi Wheat genotypes

Abstract

Frost hardiness level in winter cereals is especially temperature dependent. The low temperature which kills 50% of plants (LT50) is considered to be a standard indicator of frost hardiness level of plant. Frost hardiness is considered the most important parameter for the field survival which is the ultimate measure of winter-hardiness of a cultivar. This study aimed to determine the genetic level of frost hardiness of five Middle Eastern varieties (Abu-Ghraib, Fatah, IPA 95, IPA 99, and Sham 6) in comparison to the European cultivar (Claire). All of the Middle Eastern varieties tested showed very similar LT50’s in the nonacclimated state, whilst when of acclimated they responded in different ways to freezing temperatures. Abu-Ghraib and Claire showed more tolerance than the other cultivars.