Evaluation of physical and processing quality traits among different chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes

Abstract

The present study evaluates the variability in physical and processing quality characteristics among fifteen chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes/varieties, namely: K-3256, KWR-108, KGD-1145, KPG-59, KGD-1250, Avrodhi, Radhey, KGD-1918, KGD-93, IPC-71, IPC-310, GNG-2144, GNG-2171, KGD-2011, and KGD-1913. These genotypes were sourced from the Legume Breeding Program, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CSAUAT, Kanpur.Significant variability was observed in several physical and processing traits, including dhal recovery (71.45-82.62%), husk recovery (7.50-17.75%), broken dhal percentage (2.00-5.61%), processing losses (1.87-9.46%), test weight (9.45-28.84 g), grain yield (11-26 q/ha), moisture content (67-120), number of pods per plant, and maturity period (118-134 days).Among the genotypes, KGD-1250 excelled in two key physical traits: test weight and number of pods per plant. KGD-1913 demonstrated the highest grain yield (26 q/ha), while KGD-2011 exhibited superior performance in processing traits, including maximum dhal recovery and minimum processing loss. These findings highlight the potential of specific genotypes for targeted breeding and commercial processing applications.