Table 9 Leaf and root phenolics of wheat as influenced by mulch treatments, varieties and their interactions under water stress

Control (unmulched and irrigated)

19.577 ± 1.85^cd

6.317 ± 1.40^d

12.947^d

40.367 ± 1.55^ef

22.473 ± 0.52ⁱ

31.420^g

Mulch 1 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

35.630 ± 2.40^ab

6.790 ± 0.15^d

21.210^cd

68.680 ± 0.70^cd

24.157 ± 3.31^hi

46.418^ef

Mulch 3 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

39.527 ± 2.95^a

10.913 ± 2.55^cd

25.220^a−c

75.683 ± 0.49^bc

33.107 ± 0.64^fg

54.395^cd

Mulch 5 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

44.317 ± 1.46^a

21.840 ± 3.13^c

33.078^ab

77.193 ± 4.90^bc

44.737 ± 2.86^e

60.965^b

Water stress (40% soil field capacity)

37.263 ± 1.34^a

6.477 ± 0.29^d

21.870^cd

61.367 ± 0.85^d

23.920 ± 1.93^hi

42.643^f

Mulch (1 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

37.687 ± 10.80^a

6.527 ± 0.28^d

22.107 ^cd

70.737 ± 3.04^c

28.947 ± 3.04^g−i

49.842^de

Mulch (3 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

42.210 ± 1.58^a

6.683 ± 1.31^d

24.447^bc

82.950 ± 3.95^ab

31.790 ± 0.43^f−h

57.370^bc

Mulch (5 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

44.457 ± 13.46^a

23.440 ± 1.76^bc

33.948^a

86.790 ± 6.53^a

77.050 ± 3.95^bc

81.920^a

Mean

37.583^a

11.123^b

70.471^a

35.773^b