Triticum aestivum, the most widely cultivated wheat species, accounts for over 90% of global wheat production, sustaining global food security. However, drought stress is a critical limitation, significantly impacting wheat growth and yield. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), known for enhancing drought tolerance through mechanisms like improved water and nutrient uptake, have demonstrated potential in alleviating these effects. This thesis explores the impact of AMF inoculation, specifically with Rhizophagus irregularis BEG72, on drought resilience and productivity across 30 spring wheat landraces. Wheat landraces, valued for their genetic diversity and local adaptation, are key resources for breeding programmes aimed at enhancing wheat resilience to environmental stresses. This research study involved two irrigation regimes—well-watered (95% field capacity) and drought- stressed (60% field capacity)—and two inoculation treatments: AMF-inoculated and non-inoculated controls. Physiological and morphological parameters, including chlorophyll content, biomass, plant height, and grain yield, were evaluated to determine the contribution of AMF symbiosis to drought resilience.
The findings revealed successful AMF colonisation in all inoculated wheat landraces, significantly enhancing physiological and morphological traits compared to non- inoculated controls. Under well-watered conditions, AMF-inoculated plants exhibited higher chlorophyll content and biomass accumulation, contributing to a marked increase in grain yield. Notably, under drought stress, AMF-inoculated landraces outperformed non-inoculated counterparts, showing significantly greater plant height, biomass, and chlorophyll retention. This translated into an average yield increase of 20% in AMF-inoculated plants compared to controls under drought conditions, accentuating the role of AMF in sustaining productivity when water is limited. These results demonstrate the potential of AMF inoculation as a sustainable approach to improve drought tolerance and yield in wheat. By highlighting the symbiotic benefits of AMF, this research study provides insights valuable for breeding programmes focused on enhancing crop resilience and productivity under increasingly variable environmental conditions linked to climate change.
