23. Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in F6 population of desi chickpea (Cicer areitinum)

Abstract

The research was conducted to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in F₆ population of desi chickpea during rabi season 2015-16. The experimental material comprised of 19 F₆ lines along with one check cultivar were studied in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) among the F₆ chickpea lines for all the studied traits. line C₂-P₇-1-1 showed maximum mean value for days to maturity (123.7), seed pod^-1 (1.9) and harvest index (27.7%), whereas, line C₂-P₈-2-5 exhibited maximum mean value for plant height (68.3 cm), primary branches plant^-1 (3.8) and biological yield (2010.6 kg ha^-1). Maximum pods plant^-1 (28.8) was attained by line C₂-P₈-3-1, whereas, maximum secondary branches plant^-1 (8.8) were noted for C₂-P₈-3-4. Moreover, C₂-P₇-1-8 exhibited maximum mean value for 100 seed weight (25.9 g) and grain yield (463.8 kg ha^-1). Genetic variances of all the traits were greater than environmental variances. Genetic advance was for days to maturity (15.46), plant height (5.98), primary branches plant^-1 (0.60), secondary branches plant^-1 (1.67), pods plant^-1 (5.81), seeds pod^-1(0.24). 100 Seed weight (3.17), seed yield (209.58), biological yield (598.45) and harvest index (7.00). It could be concluded that high values of heritability and genetic advance for a characters like secondary branches plant^-1 and pods plant^-1 suggested appropriate selection criteria and could be effective in a future breeding programs.

Keywords: Chickpea (Cicer areitinum); F₆ Populations; Genetic variability; Genetic advance; Heritability

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.70023