Decoding Yield-Related Trait Interactions through Genetic Variability and Association Analysis in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important self-pollinated pulse crop rich in protein and widely cultivated, especially in India, contributing significantly to food and nutritional security. Despite its importance, its productivity remains low and unstable due to a narrow genetic base and susceptibility to various biotic and abiotic stresses. The present investigation was undertaken at the Pulses Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Rabi 2024-25 in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The current study aims to evaluate genetic variability, correlation coefficient analysis and path coefficient analysis with respect to seed yield and its components in forty-eight genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Eleven morphological traits of the plant, pod, and seed were observed and noted. Genotypes BG-4047 (18.58 g) followed by DC-2305 (18.47 g) andICCV231108 (15.47 g)recorded the highest seed yield per plant. High PCV and GCV were observed for characters like seed yield per plant followed by biological yield per plant and number of pods per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant and 100-seed weight. Highly significant and positive correlation of seed yield per plant was found with biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, harvest index, plant height and reproductive phase duration at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The path coefficient analysis revealed high and positive direct effects of biological yield per plant and harvest index on seed yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the contribution of residual effects that influenced seed yield per plant was low reflecting that the traits in the study were sufficient to account for the variability in the dependent variable.