Water regime and water consumption of spring soft wheat varieties of different ecological groups under contrasting water availability conditions.

The characteristics of the water regime of spring soft wheat varieties of different ecological groups depending on water availability conditions are revealed. It is established that, under arid conditions, varieties of the Volga steppe and West Siberian forest-steppe ecotypes have more stable dynamics of total water content of plant tissues, less depression of transpiration, high water-retaining capacity, and comparatively low water consumption coefficients. The results of the investigations can be used when selecting parent forms for breeding spring wheat under the forest-steppe conditions of the Orenburg Cis-Ural region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]