Multi-Environment Screening of Durum Wheat Genotypes for Drought Tolerance in Changing Climatic Events

Durum wheat is the most widely grown cereal in Tunisia, but its production threatened by drought, which exacerbated climate change. This study aimed to identify drought-tolerant durum genotypes from five modern varieties and six landraces a multi-environment trial at two sites (Kef Siliana, Tunisia) during three growing seasons under rainfed irrigated conditions. Six drought tolerance indices (mean productivity (MP), geometric mean (GMP), stress susceptibility index (SSI), (TOL), (STI), yield stability (YSI)) were used evaluate 11 genotypes. The environment was dominant source of variation for grain (GY; 94.27%), followed × genotype interaction (4.06%) (1.65%). Cluster analysis based on GY identified four environment-based groups with distinct water treatments, extreme minimum/maximum temperatures, rainfall. Principal component correlation matrix revealed that significantly correlated non-stressed stressed conditions could be separated into groups. Based STI, MP, GMP, G6 G8 (landraces) attaining high both TOL able discriminate G1, G3, G5 (modern varieties) as well drought-susceptible genotypes, all suitable irrigation. Genotypes G7, G9, G10, G11 (landraces), had SSI lowest YSI values, susceptible thus not cultivation Finally, G2 G4 varieties), an intermediate rank different indices, classified semi-tolerant or sensitive Drought ranks helpful tools screen large adaptation range environments, namely (landraces G8), ability adapt G5)