Genetic Variability and Path Analysis in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The experiment was carried out during Rabi 2019-20 in randomized block design with three replications using forty distinct chickpea genotypes. Good amount of variation was observed for number of pods per plant, biological yield per plant, plant height, days to 50 per cent flowering, harvest index, seed yield per plant and days to maturity. The highest GCV and PCV were found for protein content followed by seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant and number of branches per plant. High heritability associated with high genetic advance as per cent of mean for protein content, seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height and 100 -seed weight was denotative of greater weightage to these characters while exercising selection for yield improvement. Correlation study manifested highly significant positive correlation of seed yield per plant with biological yield per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, harvest index and number of branches per plant. Path coefficient analysis manifested highest positive direct and indirect effect of biological yield per plant and harvest index on seed yield emphasizing them as important yield determiners.