Screening and Adaptability of Wheat Varieties for Growth and Yield Traits Under the Rainfed Conditions of Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Wheat productivity in rainfed regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is constrained by erratic rainfall, temperature fluctuations, and genotype-environment interactions. This study evaluated ten wheat varieties (Akbar-2019, NARC-Super, Pakistan-2013, Markaz-2019, Borlough, Zincol, Arooj-22, Anaj-17, AZRC Dera, and MH-2021) over three Rabi seasons (2022-2024) at the Adaptive Research Farm, Muzaffarabad (73.37° E, 34.13° N, 817 m elevation), with a clay-loam soil (pH 7.1-7.3, low organic matter 1.31-1.37 %). A randomized complete block design with three replications was used, with sowing in early November and application of 115 kg N ha⁻¹ and 85 kg P ha⁻¹. Significant differences were observed in phenology, with MH-2021 heading earliest (82 days) and NARC-Super latest (138 days). Growth traits varied: Zincol produced the most tillers in 2022 (19), Arooj-22 set the most grains per spike (59), and AZRC Dera was tallest (82 cm). Arooj-22 and AZRC Dera achieved top grain yields in 2022 (3.58 and 3.63 t ha⁻¹), Anaj-17 in 2023 (3.27 t ha⁻¹), and Borlough in 2024 (2.89 t ha⁻¹). Harvest index was highest for Arooj-22 and AZRC Dera across years. Early-maturing varieties (Akbar-2019, MH-2021) escaped terminal heat, while high-yielding lines (Arooj-22, AZRC Dera) demonstrated stable performance under variable rainfall. Adopting Arooj-22 for high grain number and AZRC Dera for tillering and straw yield, with early November sowing, can enhance productivity. Integrated nutrient management and site-specific variety selection are advised for rainfed wheat systems.