Estimation of Genetic Variability for Yield and Its Component Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present investigation was conducted with 12 chickpea genotypes, raised in randomized block design with three replications during the Rabi season 2023-2024 at at Organic Research Farm, Karguanji, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.). The experiment was laid-out in randomized block design with three replications of the plant geometry was maintained at 30 cm x 10 cm. The present experimental material showed a wide range of phenotypic variation for number of seed per pod, number of primary branches per plant, biological yield per plant and seed yield per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant and harvest index whereas, low phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for plant height, 100-seed weight, days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity as revealed by high values of Coefficient of Range. The estimates of high heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as a per cent of mean were observed for biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant manifesting the preponderance of additive gene action on the expression of these traits. In the investigation, genotypes viz., RSG-44 and Aruna were superior not only for seed yield per plant but also related traits like 100-seed weight, biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant and number of primary branches per plant.