10. Genetic potential and traits association in desi and kabuli chickpea genotypes
Abstract
The present experiment was carried out at the experimental area, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during the growing season of 2013-14. The current research work was planned to evaluate the genetic potential and traits association in 20 Desi and Kabuli chickpea genotypes (10 Desi and 10 Kabuli). The genetic materials were grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on plant height (cm), secondary branches plant-1, pods plant-1, seed yield (kg ha-1), biological yield plot-1 and harvest index. Genotypes revealed significant differences for most of the traits which ranged from 63.66 to 105.28 cm for plant height, 8 to 18 for secondary branches plant-1, 43 to 64 for pods plant-1, 862 to 2481 kg for seed yield (kg ha-1), 1383 to 3576 g for biological yield plot-1 and 20 to 39% for harvest index. Mean squares showed highly significant differences (P≤0.05) for comparative performance of Kabuli and Desi genotypes. Mean value for seed yield (kg ha-1) of Kabuli genotypes was 1210.10 kg, which was comparatively less than mean value of Desi genotypes which was 1823.90 kg. Among Kabuli genotypes, analysis of variance (P≤0.05) showed significant differences for most of the traits. Genotype NKC-5-S14 showed minimum (861.60 kg ha-1) seed yield while maximum (1589.30 kg ha-1) seed yield was recorded for NKC-5-S16. Mean squares in Desi genotypes also revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) for most of the traits. Maximum (2481.3 kg ha-1) seed yield was given by genotype NIFA-2005, while minimum (1002.90 kg ha-1) seed yield was recorded for genotype SL-3-29. Broad sense heritability estimates for yield and yield components were moderate to high that ranged from 54% to 92%. Positively and highly significant association of seed yield was observed with biological yield plot-1 (r = 0.85**) and harvest index (r = 0.42**), while significantly negative correlation was observed with 100-seed weight (r = -0.26*). Biological yield plot-1, harvest index would be the proper choice criteria for better seed yield in chickpea. Results showed that genotypes NIFA-2005, NDC-4-20-5, SL-3-64, NDC-4-20-4 and NKC-5-S16 performed better and could be utilized as a part of future breeding projects for the improvement of high yielding cultivars.
Keywords: Cicer arietinum; Genetic variability; Heritability; Correlation
