This latest study aimed to evaluate the triticale cultivars for drought tolerance through morphophysiological traits and molecular analyses. Under artificial drought conditions induced by the polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000), the triticale cultivars Sergiy, Xlebarob, and K. Prag exhibited the highest tolerance and demonstrated better adaptability to drought stress conditions. Molecular analysis identified the alleles (Xgwm484, Xmc525, and Xgwmc389) associated with drought tolerance based on DNA markers, establishing these markers as reliable indicators for selection. Specifically, alleles with 255 bp (Xgwm484), 230 bp (Xmc525), and 260 bp (Xgwmc389) were indicative of drought tolerance, confirming the highest drought tolerance in the cultivars K. Prag, Sergiy, and Xlebarob. These cultivars showed potential for future breeding using molecular techniques like gene pyramiding to enhance drought resistance and are suitable as elite initial material for the selection process. The phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic similarities and differences among the triticale cultivars, highlighting the crucial role of drought tolerance-related markers in selection and ensuring sustainable productivity. The results provided fundamental insights for determining the drought tolerance levels among triticale cultivars and defining future selection directions.
Triticale cultivars, drought stress tolerance, PEG-6000, morphophysiological traits, DNA markers, phylogenetic analysis, productivity
The study identified drought-tolerant alleles in triticale cultivars using markers Xgwm484, Xmc525, and Xgwmc389. The allele Xgwm484 with 255 bp appeared in cultivars Sardor, K. Prag, Sergiy, and Xlebarob, while the allele Xmc525 with 230 bp was evident in triticale cultivars Tixon, Kunak, Yarillo, K. Prag, Sergiy, Xlebarob, and Prao-02, confirming their highest drought tolerance.