Evaluation of genetic diversity in Cicer arietinum L. (Kabuli Chickpea) germplasm based on multivariate analysis

Abstract

Genetic diversity among 43 genotypes of chickpea for 11 quantitative characters; in which Seed yield/plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlations coefficients with biological yield/plant (0.9447), pods/plant (0.7559), seeds/pod (0.5475), harvest index (0.5400) and secondary branches/plant (0.3766). Path coefficients analysis identified biological yield/plant (0.7963g) followed by harvest index (0.2792%), pods/plant (0.0435), 100 seed weight (0.0430g) and days to maturity (0.0417) important direct components for seed yield/plant. Pods/plant (0.6259), seeds/pod (0.4434), secondary branches/plant (0.3307), primary branches/plant (0.3132), days to 50% flowering (0.2431) and days to maturity (0.2339) via biological yield/plant were found important indirect components for seed yield/plant. The characters identified above as important direct and indirect components merit consideration in the formulation of an effective selection strategy in chickpeas for developing high-yielding varieties. So, plant breeders can utilize this germplasm for further crop improvement.