Heterosis and inbreeding depression in wide crosses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Hybridization using diverse parents results in heterosis, which is of paramount importance in crop improvement. Heterosis can be fixed through different breeding methods in advanced generations and desirable recombinant can be recovered. In the present investigation, diverse parents (desi, kabuli and wild species, Cicer reticulatum acc. EC 556270) were utilized to develop 8 hybrid combinations (4 interspecific crosses:, DCP 92-3 x EC 556270, IPC 98–12 x EC 556270, IPCK 2002–29 x EC 556270 and JGK1 x EC 556270 and 4 desi x kabuli: DCP 92-3 x IPCK 2002–29, DCP 92-3 x JGK 1, IPC 98-12xIPCK 2002–29 and IPC 98-12xJGK1). Heterosis over best parent was observed in various cross combinations for most of the traits besides desirable inbreeding depression in F₂ populations. Significant and positive heterosis over best parent with negative inbreeding depression was observed for grain yield in only one cross (DCP 92-3 x IPCK 200229). Exploitation of diallele selective mating system (DSMS) or inter-crossing between desirable segregants in F₂ has been suggested as it can be rewarding for genetic enhancement in chickpea for grain yield and its components.