Early Generation Selection in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.). II Effect of Selection Pressure Independently For Seed Yield and Its Components*

With 5% selection intensity individually for seed yield, pods per plant, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight in F2, four groups each of 84 F3 progenies were derived. F3 progenies derived by selection pressure for seed yield (SYSP), pod number per plant (PNSP), seeds per pod (SPSP) and seed weight (SWSP) were evaluated for seed yield and other characters. The mean and variance for each character appeared to be high in that group of F3 progenies derived by application of selection pressure for that particular character. However, genotypic coefficient of variability showed the opposite trend. Based on comparative study of the F2 progenies, derived by different selection pressures, for variability, heritability, genetic advance and association patterns, the one derived by selecting for seeds per pod appeared to provide better scope for improving seed yield.