Delving potentials of direct and indirect selection parameters in segregating generation differing for stem growth habit in chickpea

Abstract

Abstract Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is predominantly an indeterminate (IDT) plant and tends to generate vegetative growth when the soil is conducive for soil moisture, temperature, and certain other environmental conditions. The semi-determinate (SDT) types are comparatively early, resistant to lodging and found to be similar in their yield potential to IDT lines. Thus, knowledge on genetic variations for pod and seed traits of different stem growth habit is important. The present study aims to estimate genetic variability and relation between yield and its related attributes of segregating population of chickpea. Variability studies were studied in BGD 362 (IDT) x BG 3078-1(SDT) cross differing for stem growth habit. Wide range of variation was reported for the trait plant height, pods per plant, seeds per plant, seed yield and 100-seed weight. Pods per plant showed high PCV and GCV. Pods per plant, seeds per pod, seed yield, and 100 – seed weight recorded high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Seed yield per plant has shown highly significant positive association with seeds per plant, pods per plant, and 100 – seed weight. The pods per plant had high positive indirect effect on seed yield per plant indicating that selection for plant types with a greater number of pods per plant will be effective in the simultaneous improvement of seeds per plant and sustainable grain yield in chickpea.