Association in Segregating Populations of Chickpea

Correlation and path coefficients were studied in F₂ and F₃ generations of three diverse crosses of chickpea. Seed yield was positively and significantly correlated with pods per plant and seed number per plant followed by secondary and primary branches. Association of yield with seeds per pod and 100-seed weight were positive but non-significant in most of the populations studied. However, even with non-directed selection more favourable and effective character association developed in F₃ progenies than among their F₂ parents. Pathcoefficient analysis revealed that pods per plant and seeds per plant registered maximum positive direct effect with yield. The indirect effects of other attributes were also maximum through these two characters. In the light of present findings component selection with greater emphasis on branches per plant, pods per plant and seeds per plant has been suggested in chickpea.