Quantifying Genetic Advance of Kabuli Chickpea Varieties for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Ethiopia

Abstract

Fourteen Kabuli chickpea varieties released since 1974 were evaluated in 2017 cropping season at Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Debre Zeit, and Jari stations to determine genetic progress in yield and yield associated traits of Kabuli chickpea varieties. The varieties were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The average rate of increase in grain yield per year over the past 42 years period was 22.35kgha-1 yr-1 with a relative genetic gain of 1.04% year-1 , which was not significantly different from zero. The regression of hundred seed weight against the years of release showed significant increase for the last 42 years of improvement in Ethiopia. It showed an annual rate of genetic gain of 0.56 g yr-1 with a relative annual genetic gain of 4.37%. Number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod revealed a significant decreasing trend over the past 42 years, which could be a reciprocate to the increased seed size. Plant height, days to flowering, and days to maturity showed nonsignificant trend in the current study. Grain yield showed non-significant positive association with plant height, days to flowering, number of pods per plant and non-significant negative association with days to maturity, number of seed per pod and hundred seed weight. Hundred seed weight was positively and significantly correlated with days to maturity but negatively and significantly correlated with number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod. Therefore, the Kabuli chickpea improvement program needs special attention to compliment seed size and grain yield by using integrated breeding approach to make rapid progress in developing superior Kabuli chickpea varieties.

Comparative Genetic Gain Study of Desi and Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties for Yield and Related Traits in Ethiopia

“…). Similarly, GenetMengistu et al (2020) and TibebuBelete et al (2017) reported highly signi cant (p ≤ 0.01) and signi cant (p ≤ 0.05) interaction effects on grain yield and other related traits in the Kabuli and Desi type chickpea varieties, respectively.Yasin Goa and Ashamo (2016) and Yasin Goa (2017) also found a signi cant difference in grain yield and its related components among varieties across different locations in Ethiopia.…”

“…Hundred seed weight was signi cantly and negatively associated with the number of pods plant − 1 (r=-0.32) and non-signi cant and negatively associated with the number of seeds pod − 1 (r=-0.14). This is because more seeds per pod might cause a reduction in the average seed size due to competition among seeds for limited food reserves (Genet Mengistu et al, 2020). Finally, there was a negative and signi cant correlation between days of 90% physiological maturity (r=-0.15) and grain yield (Table 10/Fig.…”

“…Chickpea is considered a less labor-intensive crop, and its production requires less external input than cereals. It plays a signi cant role in improving soil fertility by xing atmospheric nitrogen (Genet Mengistu et al, 2020). Therefore, the breeding and improvement of the crop for the above and other important characteristics should be of paramount importance to utilize the crop further.…”

“…Therefore, the breeding and improvement of the crop for the above and other important characteristics should be of paramount importance to utilize the crop further. Chickpea breeding in Ethiopia began in 1950, using locally collected andnewly introduced germplasm to develop high yielding and widely adaptable varieties (Genet Mengistu et al, 2020). Nevertheless, it is highly challenging due to the in uences of the environment, agronomic practices and genetic factors.…”

“…Understanding the changes produced by crop breeding on grain yield and its determining factor is important to evaluate the e ciency of past improvement works on the advances in genetic yield potential. Thus, estimation of genetic progress is a useful indicator that helps breeders to make decisions about what future breeding strategy they should follow; whether if they must to pursueor changes are required (Genet Mengistu et al, 2020). Tibebu Belete et al (2017) also added that information on genetic progress realized over time from a breeding program is essential to develop effective and e cient breeding strategies by assessing the e ciency of past improvement works in genetic yield potential and suggest on future selection direction to facilitate further improvement of the crop.…”