Study on the performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes and its cross for seed yield and its component trait

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Study on the performance of chickpea genotypes and its cross for seed yield and its component traits” was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heterosis, and genetic parameters governing yield and its associated traits in Cicer arietinum. The experiment was carried out during rabi 2025 at the research farm of Rama University, Kanpur, using 16 diverse parental genotypes and 14 F₁ crosses developed from selected lines. The material was evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on twelve quantitative traits including phenological, morphological, and yield-attributing characters. Statistical analyses such as ANOVA, estimation of GCV, PCV, heritability, and genetic advance were performed. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. Wide variation was observed for pods per plant, seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, biological yield, and seed yield per plant. Among crosses, DPC 92-3 × BGD 72 exhibited superior performance for major yield components, reflecting strong heterotic potential. Estimates of genetic parameters showed higher PCV than GCV for most traits, suggesting environmental influence; however, seed yield per plant and biological yield exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance, indicating predominance of additive gene action. The study concludes that traits such as pods per plant, biological yield, hundred-seed weight, and seed yield per plant are reliable selection criteria, and promising crosses identified can be utilized in breeding programmes for developing high-yielding and stable chickpea cultivars.