Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies for Seed Yield Characters in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Twenty-one chickpea genotypes were examined, and an experiment was carried out by using a Randomized Block Design with three replications at the Department of Genetics and Plant breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Naini Allahabad, U.P during the rabi season of 2021-2022. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences existed for most of the traits. Among all the genotypes IPC-05-62 recorded high seed yield per plant followed by IPC-6006, ICCY-10, IPC-05-24, GNG-1958, IPC04-52, KPG-59, IPC-06-77, GNG-1581, JG-24, IPC-97-29, IPC-2K-25, JGM-7 and ESCJ-627U. All these genotypes recorded high seed yield as compared to check UDAY. JG-24 was shown drought tolerant compared to among all genotypes. High Genotypic Coefficient of Variation and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation was observed for seed vigour and drought tolerance score. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for plant height, number of primary branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, harvest index, seed vigour and drought tolerance score. The correlation studies revealed that seed yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches, harvest index and seed index. The path analysis indicated that harvest index was observed as the maximum positive direct effect on seed yield per plant and thus, may be considered as useful traits for yield improvement of chickpea.