Genetic Variability and Diversity Analysis for Yield and its Associated Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a leguminous self-pollinating crop belongs to family- Leguminosae (Fabaceae). The aim of a plant breeder is to identify or develop high yielding cultivars. In the present investigation, 83 genotypes grown during Rabi 2021-22 to investigate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance, correlation, direct and indirect effects and genetic divergence (D2 analysis) among yield and its attributing traits. High GCV and PCV recorded for the numbers of pods per plant and biological yield indicating the presence of substantial amount of genetic variability in the experimenting material. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was shown for seed yield per plant, hundred seed weight. Selection based on these traits may be proved worthwhile. Significant and positive correlation was documented for seed yield per plant with numbers of pods per plant and biological yield and path analysis signified that biological yield had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant. The data obtained from the present investigation may be proved helpful in the selection of high yielding superior genotype (s) of chickpea.