Exploring variability, mean performance and genetic diversity for seed protein content in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea is an abundant source of seed protein content among all pulse crops. However, the current protein content in chickpea genotypes range between 20 to 22% in the varieties which is not sufficient to meet the protein demand of burgeoning population. Ascertaining genetic diversity in chickpea genotypes for the trait is a prerequisite for improvement of seed protein content higher than the existing content. The present study focused on exploring variability, mean performance and genetic diversity for seed protein content in chickpea. Augmented block design was deployed to evaluate 156 chickpea genotypes including landraces, advanced breeding lines, cultivars and a variety BG 3062. Seed protein content was estimated in two technical replicates using Kjeldahl method. Highly significant variation for seed protein content was observed with the range from 15.21% to 32.43%. The extremely close value of phenotypic coefficient of variance (8.21) and genotypic coefficient of variance (7.41), indicated the minimal impact of environment on seed protein content. High heritability (90.28%) and high genetic advance as percent of mean (22.60%) for seed protein content indicated the predominance of additive gene action and suggested simple selection is effective in the genetic improvement of the trait. A total of 93 genotypes recorded high seed protein content over the high seed protein content check ICC 4639 (23.09%), whereas 12 genotypes demonstrated low seed protein content than the lower seed protein content check KAK 2 (18.49%), indicating that these are the potential donors and recipients in the breeding programs aimed at the development of protein abundant chickpea varieties. Genetic diversity analysis divided the 156 genotypes into three distinct clusters advocating that strategic selection of contrasting genotypes for seed protein content can fulfil the development of protein abundant chickpea varieties higher than existing varieties.