Analysis of Genetic Parameters in Chickpea

Diverse genotype is the key for any plant selection or hybridization programme; to develop a noble
type so as to increase its utility to human. It is not only improves the genetics background of the
cultivar but also improve farmers income by reducing losses due to insect-pest and disease attack
etc. In view of regards, a research was conducted to analyze the variability and heritability genetic
parameter of sixty diverse genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for 10 different characters. The
crop sown in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications during Rabi Season 2014-15 at
Pulses Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India. The
evaluation shows that highest range of variability was present for number of pods per plant followed
by days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, 100 seed weight, days to maturity. The highest
estimates of heritability along with genetic advance as per cent of mean were recorded for number of
pods per plant, days to 50 per cent, 100 seed weight and plant height characters. The ANOVA
indicated the prevalence of sufficient genetic variation among the genotypes for all the ten traits. The
seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant revealed highest genetic advance expressed as a
percentage of mean.