Components of Variance for Yield in Bengal Gram

The variability for seed yield in a collection of 20 recommended types of bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.) including round as well as irregular seeded types has been partitioned into varietal, variety X environment and error components. Both the varietal and variety X environment components were significant but the latter was of a comparatively smaller order. The round-seeded kabuli types showed a lowervarietal but a higher interaction component than the irregular seeded types. Based on the diversity estimates (ratio of genotypic variability to total variability) the gain expected from selecting the top-performing culture in each group has been assessed and found to be low, around five per cent. of the group mean in both cases.