Description: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings of cv. Chinese Spring (CS) and hybrid Line 73 (breeding material based on a wide cross CS x Aegilops geniculata Roth) were grown for 7 days on a half strength Hoagland nutrient solution and afterwards transferred to 15 percentage PEG 6000. Changes in the parameters of cell membrane stability (electrolyte leakage kinetics), level of oxidative stress (MDA and hydrogen peroxide content) and leaf water status assessed by RWC during 5-days (mild) and 8-days (strong) water stress were investigated. The longer stress duration caused stronger dehydration. RWC of the leaves was strongly reduced in both genotypes. The level of water stress in the parental genotype correlated with greater lipid peroxidation (assessed as higher content of MDA) and reduced membrane stability (higher electrolyte leakage from damaged tissues) in leaves. These disturbances in the parental genotype corresponded to higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide of which Line 73 showed lower values. The selected genotype Line 73 disclosed higher tolerance to osmotic stress with PEG 6000 in laboratory conditions as assessed by the studied parameters

Remarks: Proceedings of the XI National Conference on Plant Physiology, 18-19 november 2009, Sofia, Bulgaria