Table 8 Leaf carotenoids and soluble sugars content (mg/g) of wheat as influenced by mulch treatments, varieties and their interactions under water stress

Control (unmulched and irrigated)

0.4267 ± 0.02^f

0.9633 ± 0.06^a−c

0.6950^d

334.40 ± 3^d

135.00 ± 3^j

234.70^d

Mulch 1 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

0.8200 ± 0.09^c−e

0.9767 ± 0.01^a−c

0.8983^bc

311.40 ± 3^e

132.00 ± 2^j

221.70^e

Mulch 3 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

1.0700 ± 0.02^ab

1.1000 ± 0.05^a

1.0850^a

307.60 ± 5^e

116.00 ± 2^k

211.80^f

Mulch 5 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

1.0833 ± 0.04^ab

1.1133 ± 0.22^a

1.0983^a

267.60 ± 0^f

77.20 ± 0 ^l

172.40 ^g

Water stress (40% soil field capacity)

0.4000 ± 0.03^f

0.3533 ± 0.04^f

0.3767^e

477.60 ± 1^a

206.20 ± 3^g

341.90^a

Mulch (1 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

0.9100 ± 0.03^a−e

0.6867 ± 0.11^e

0.7983 ^cd

450.40 ± 3^b

167.60 ± 3^h

309.00^b

Mulch (3 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

0.9267 ± 0.10^a−d

0.7067 ± 0.03^de

0.8167 ^cd

430.67 ± 5^c

156.80 ± 2ⁱ

293.73^c

Mulch (5 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

1.1100 ± 0.09^a

0.8700 ± 0.00^b−e

0.9900^ab

335.60 ± 3^d

118.40 ± 3^k

227.00^e

Mean

0.8433^a

0.8463^a

364.41^a

138.65^b