Ten wheat varieties, Benazir, Hamal Fakir, TD-I, NIA Sunder, TJ-83, Marvi-2000, NIA Amber, Sarsabz, Kiran-95, and Imdad-05, sown in split-plot design (SPD) with three replications, underwent well-watered and water-stress influences at the time of anthesis, at the Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, during 2022–2023. The observed traits included days to 1st booting, days to 90% heading, days to 90% maturity, peduncle length (cm), plant height (cm), tillers plant^-1, spike length (cm), spikelets spike^-1, grains spike^-1, seed index (1000-grain weight, g), grain yield plant^-1 (g), biological yield plant^-1 (g), and harvest index (%). Based on drought tolerance indices, the result demonstrated that genotypes, treatments, and genotypes ×treatments significantly affected yield and its contributing traits. The genotypes, such as Imdad-05, NIA Amber, and TD-1, considerably exhibited drought tolerance, whereas Marvi-2000 and Kiran-95 were susceptible. The grain yield expressed positive and significant association toward other traits, such as days to 1st booting, days to 90% heading, days to 90% maturity, peduncle length, plant height, tillers plant^-1, spike length, spikelets spike^-1, grains spike^-1, seed index grain weight, grain yield plant^-1, biological yield plant^-1, and harvest index. Seven indices calculated grain yield in Yp and Ys appeared significantly and positively associated with the first three components mentioned at about 95.76% of the total variability and directly connected with the STI, GMP, TOL, and MP, namely, Imdad-05, NIA Sunder, and TD-1 considered as highly drought-tolerant; Marvi-2000 and Benazir, as moderately tolerant, and NIA Amber and Kiran-95 were the susceptible ones.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), well-watered and stressed-conditions, drought, indices, yield-related traits

Key findings: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, Imdad-05, NIA Sunder, TD-1, and Benazir, proved best performers against drought conditions that could benefit future breeding programs for hybrid crop development.