Relative efficiency of different breeding methods for improvement of yield and yield components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Four breeding methods for generation advancement were evaluated for their efficiency in producing superior genotypes in chickpea. The methods used were pedigree method (PM), single seed descent method (SSD), bulk method (BM) and selected bulk method (SBM) in five crosses. On the basis of per cent increase in highest yielder genotypes over best check mean, SBM produced higher value mean seed yield and its components than PM, SSD and BM over crosses, except in cross (C₃: JG-62 x BG-1073). PM and BM showed equal yield superiority on the basis of per cent increase in mean of selected plants. Estimates of phenotypic variances for seed yield and its components in F₄ showed that SSD method was superior to other methods in maintaining relatively high variances over crosses. Further, seed yield/plant had high positive correlation with harvest index and 100-seed weight under pedigree method (PM) and selected bulk method (SBM) and with harvest index and seeds/pod under single seed descent method (SSD). Thus, these traits could be considered as a selection criteria for higher seed yield/plant in chickpea under each of selection methods. It was concluded that SBM was a preferable method for improvement of yielding ability in chickpea and thus, recomm-ended for chickpea breeding.