American Journal of BioScience 2019; 7(2): 38-44 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajbio doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20190702.12 ISSN: 2330-0159 (Print); ISSN: 2330-0167 (Online) The Performance of Wheat Varieties in Resisting the Drought at Nilphamari District of Bangladesh Matiur Rahman 1 , Meghna Guhathakurta 2 , Musfikur Rahman 3 1 Research Initiatives Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2 Research Initiatives Bangladesh, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh 3 Maternal and Child Health Division, International Center for Diarrhea Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh Email address: To cite this article: MatiurRahman, MeghnaGuhathakurta, MusfikurRahman. The Performance of Wheat Varieties in Resisting the Drought at Nilphamari District of Bangladesh. American Journal of BioScience. Vol. 7, No. 2, 2019, pp. 38-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20190702.12 Received: October 31, 2018; Accepted: April 15, 2019; Published: June 28, 2019 Abstract: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of resisting the drought to wheat varieties at three Upazilas of Nilphamari district of Bangladesh namely, Saidpur, Nilphamari Sadar and Jaldhaka. The main objectives that the study aimed to achieve include, (i) identification of drought stress tolerant wheat varieties by the small and marginal farmers through adaptive trials thus found more productive and profitable; and (ii) demonstration of modern wheat cultivation technologies generated awareness, improved knowledge, attitude and perceived adoption of modern wheat production among the demonstrating as well as neighbouring farmers. Four separate trials for identification of drought stress tolerant varieties were planned and implemented using Split-Plot design. Crop production technologies as recommended by BARI were used in the trials. Study findings showed comparatively lower yield in ‘zero’ irrigation i.e. rainfed condition in all the varieties (ranging from 3.89 tons to 4.05 tons/ha, average being 3.97 tons/ha) as against single irrigation (4.07 tons-4.61 tons/ha, average being 4.32 tons/ha), two irrigation (4.11 tons–4.59 tons/ha, average being 4.41tons/ha) and three irrigations (4.56 tons– 4.94 tons, average being 4.70 tons/ha). The yield difference between ‘0' & 1,1 & 2, and 2 & 3 irrigations did not reveal a significant difference in most of the varieties. But in most of the varieties, significant differences were observed between ‘0' and 3 irrigations. In ‘0' irrigation, all the varieties performed similar with respect to yield, but BARI Gom21 performed slightly better over the other varieties. Keywords: Drought, Climate Change, Irrigation, Wheat Variety, Adaptive Trail 1. Introduction The area under wheat in Bangladeshh as decreased sharply in recent years due to a change in the dominant rice-based consumption pattern. Bangladesh wheat production was at level of 1.31 million tonnes in 2017, down from 1.35 million tonnes previous year, this is a change of 2.72% [1]. Nutritionally, wheat is superior to rice and its cultivation has specific advantages over other crops grown in Rabi season such as: (i) low water requirement; (ii) can be grown successfully using residual soil moisture; (iii) less damage from insect pests and diseases; (iv) dependable consumer demand, easy utilization and marketing; (v) low production cost; and (vi) higher market price. There exist a huge potentiality of enhancing wheat production both horizontally and vertically using available high yielding varieties and production technologies. The global mean temperature has risen by 7°C since 1860. Over the same period, CO2 concentrations have increased by 46 percent [2] and there have been not able changes in the pattern of temperature, rainfall, drought, flood, and salinity intrusion causing major problems to crop production. Livelihood and food security of people are now under threat owing to the erratic behaviour of climate. If current trend in human population growth and food comsumption continue crop production must be increased by 60% by mid-century to meet food demand and reduce hunger [3]. but climate change will make this task more difficult [4]. Population growing and consumption is the big challeng for the current world. Continuing population and consumption growth will mean that the global demand for food will increase for at least