Association among yield and yield contributing characters in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Forty four genotypes of desi chickpea were investigated to capture the existing genetic variability, correlation and path for yield and other quantitative traits by using randomized block design with three replications at RARI Durgapura, Jaipur Rajasthan. Genotypes revealed significant wide genetic variation for all most all the quantitative traits. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed by plant height up to first pod followed by 100 seed weight and grain yield. Higher broad sense heritability (h₂b) was recorded for days to 50% flowering, followed by 100 seed weight, plant height up to first pod, grain yield, total plant height, and number of pods/plant. The high genetic advances per cent mean was observed by plant height up to first pod, 100 seed weight and grain yield. The correlation of grain yield with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of pods/plant, number of primary branches/plant and 100 seed weight was positive and significant both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level depicted that among the 9 causal (independent) traits; 100 seed weight, days to maturity, number of pods/plant had positive and directly influence on grain yield.