TRANSPIRATION RATE AND WATER RELATIONS OF DURUM WHEAT CULTIVARS UNDER VARYING SOIL MOISTURE CONDITIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the physiological determinants of transpiration intensity and water exchange in durum wheat cultivars grown under contrasting soil moisture conditions. Using a comparative assessment across moisture regimes, we analyzed cultivar-specific responses in transpiration activity and indicators of plant water status. The results show pronounced genotypic differences: transpiration and water-exchange traits varied with both soil moisture level and inherent biological characteristics of the cultivars. Drought-tolerant cultivars maintained a more stable water balance and moderated transpiration under reduced moisture, indicating adaptive regulation of water use. These findings provide a basis for selecting durum wheat with improved water-use efficiency and for optimizing irrigation strategies in water-limited environments.