DUS-Based Morphological Profiling and Categorization of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

Abstract

In the realm of plant breeding, genetic diversity stands as a pivotal factor for advancing crop improvement initiatives. Morphological characterization assists as a critical role, allowing for the scrutiny of discernible traits in crop plants as this facilitates the identification, classification, and comprehension of genetic variations present among diverse genotypes. The objective of this investigation was to scrutinize the morphological traits of 71 chickpea genotypes, with a particular emphasis on 10 selected qualitative traits, in adherence to the DUS testing guidelines. The experimental design employed was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Research Farm, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, RVSVV, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India during Rabi 2021-22. Among the parameters investigated, three exhibited a consistent dimorphic phenotype, six displayed three distinct phenotypes (trimorphic), and only one trait manifested more than three phenotypic variations (polymorphic). The diverse chickpea genotypes showed a substantial amount of genetic variability, demonstrating the potential for assigning distinct morphological profiles for varietal identification and characterization. Remarkably, for traits such as the foliage and flower color and seed shape, a high level of diversity within the chickpea genotypes was investigated employing Shannon's diversity indices. This comprehensive morphological characterization not only contributes to the understanding of the genetic landscape of chickpea genotypes but also provides valuable insights for varietal identification and selection in breeding programmes in future.