Table 2 Descriptive analysis of phenotypic, physiological and yield traits measured in Trial 2

Plant height (cm)

106.28 ± 12.56

112.29 ± 12.28

80.15–130

86.50–140.50

−5.35

2.12E-05

Tiller number

6.34 ± 0.845

8.88 ± 1.23

5.00–8.50

6.50–13.00

−28.60

7.87E-52

Days to 50% flowering

91.26 ± 10.86

85.78 ± 10.36

65.50–115.50

63.00–112.00

6.38

6.58E-06

Leaf temperature (°C)

29.56 ± 0.548

27.94 ± 0.385

27.30–30.55

27.10–28.70

5.79

6.78E-25

Leaf rolling score

4.05 ± 1.39

–

1.11–7.84

–

–

–

Leaf drying score

4.00 ± 1.37

–

1.17–7.67

–

–

–

Relative water content (%)

61.07 ± 4.79

78.89 ± 3.89

50.35–72.98

70.36–86.26

−22.58

7.4E-114

Cell membrane stability index (%)

81.83 ± 3.70

–

75.53–92.24

–

–

–

Chlorophyll stability index (%)

82.11 ± 3.85

–

75.52–92.85

–

–

–

Yield/plant (g)

8.40 ± 1.57

11.55 ± 2.15

6.06–12.17

7.94–18.62

−27.27

1.81E-37

Thousand grain weight (g)

21.78 ± 1.33

22.66 ± 1.35

17.15–24.00

17.45–24.95

−3.88

3.16E-08

Spikelet fertility percentage (%)

61.04 ± 4.39

70.91 ± 4.58

50.47–73.79

61.12–81.93

−13.91

1.24E-55

Percentage relative yield reduction

29.46 ± 4.96

–

17.91–46.94

–

–

–

Drought susceptibility index

1.00 ± 0.070

–

0.75–1.17

–

–

–

Soil moisture (%)

–

–

10.75–24.96

–

–

–