Genetic Variability in Chickpea: Correlation Studies of Quantitative Traits in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)

The book presents the estimation of variability parameters, path coefficient analysis and interrelationship for grain yield and its parameters in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The present study was initiated with the prime objective of finding the mutual relationships of different quantitative traits at maturity levels and also the type and extent of their contribution to grain yield in 17 chickpea elite lines and 3 check varieties. Interrelationships, estimates of genetic variability and path coefficient analysis of various quantitative parameters like days taken to flowering, days taken to maturity, plant height, total weight of plant, 100-grains weight, pods per plant, grains per pod, primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant and grain yield per plant were ascertained. The path analysis was applied to estimate the direct and indirect contribution of individual parameters to the overall grain yield. The study clearly envisages augmenting the relatively scarce information available on quantitative traits which may be profitably exploited in future programs of chickpea improvement.