Genetic Variability, Character Association and Genetic Divergence Analysis in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes
Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) classified as one of the greatest prominent pulse crops in India and contributes substantially to nutritional security through its high protein content. Genetic improvement of chickpea requires comprehensive knowledge on degree of the variability available within breeding materials and connection among different genotypes facilitates identification of promising parents and effective selection process. Keeping in view, the present study was done to examine the heritability, genetic variability, genetic divergence and trait associations among forty one chickpea genotypes in the agroclimatic circumstances of western Uttar Pradesh. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 41 genotypes of chickpea in research farm of Department of Genetic and Plant Breeding, CCS University Meerut (UP) India. Each genotype was sown during rabi season 2021-22 utilizing Randomize block design involving three replications. Five plant were randomly selected were utilized to record data for every genotype in each replication, covering the eleven characteristic traits that were being studied. Result: ANOVA demonstrated sufficient variability among the all evaluated genotypes for each trait. The highest GCV and PCV estimates were found for no. of seeds/plant, number of pods plant, hundred seeds weight, seed yield per plant, biological yield/ plant, branches/plant, total seeds/ pods, plant height. Heritability (bs) with GA as % of mean was highest for number of seeds/plant, followed by pods/plant, biological yield/plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield/plant, no. of seeds/pod. Correlation result demonstrate the number of seeds per plant significant positive associated with seed/ plant, pods/plant, harvest index, primary branches/plant, no. of seeds/pod, biological yield/plant. Path analysis demonstrated the harvest index, biological yield, no. of seed/pod and plant height exerted greatest positive direct effects on seed yield. In contrast, hundred seed weight, branches/plant, total seeds/plant, pods/plant revealed negative direct effect on seed yield. The intra cluster distance ranged from 2.261 to 2.918 in cluster I and III, respectively. Between cluster III and II showed high inter cluster distance in compression to between cluster I and III, cluster I and II. The genotypes RHD-52, BG-372, JG-2001-115 and K-1065 were identified as suitable for early flowering and maturity, whereas JG-226, DC-18-1107, ICC-8948, JG-2001-115, ICC-7549 and P-1106 were found superior for seed yield performance.