📍 Location: Biodiversity and Environmental Research Centre (BERC)
Researcher Eman Sawalmeh successfully defended her master's thesis in Agricultural Biotechnology at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK).
Her thesis, entitled “Changes in root and aerial biomass in a selection of bread wheat genotypes growing under contrasting water regimes, and their effects on yield formation” was conducted at the Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center (BERC) laboratories, under the joint supervision of Prof. Yamen Hamdan from PTUK and Prof. Mohammed S. A. Shtayeh from BERC. A grant from BERC financially supported the student and her research.
Eman’s research focused on evaluating the phenotypic responses of ten bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes under two different water regimes—moderate (60%) and full (100%) field capacity—through greenhouse and field experiments. The study assessed key shoot and root traits, including aerial biomass, root biomass, root surface area, and water use efficiency.
The results revealed that drought stress significantly reduced aerial biomass and plant height, while certain genotypes exhibited adaptive root responses, including increased root biomass and surface area. Among the tested genotypes, BW237, BW212, BW254, and BW257 demonstrated superior drought tolerance, with BW237 showing the highest water use efficiency under stress conditions. These genotypes also excelled in yield-related traits such as thousand kernel weight, grain yield, and harvest index, making them ideal candidates for breeding programs aimed at enhancing drought resistance in wheat.
This research provides valuable insights into wheat adaptation strategies under water-limited conditions and offers a scientific basis for developing resilient wheat varieties to ensure food security in arid and semi-arid regions.
The thesis was supervised by Prof. Yamen Hamdan from PTUK and Prof. Mohammed S. A. Shtayeh from BERC. The examination committee included Dr. Rana Majed Jamous and Prof. Mazen Salman.
