Variability and stability analysis for seed yield and its components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea is the prime pulse crop of India, grown in an area of 9.51 million hectares with the annual production of 8.88 million tones, reflecting low (929 kg/ ha) productivity. In Chhattisgarh, it is cultivated in about 0.261 million hectare, with an average productivity of 1002 kg/ ha.The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was maximum for the characters viz., biological yield plant^-1, 100-seed weight, seed yield plant^-1, seed volume, hydration capacity seed^-1, hydration index and swelling index in E₁, E₂, E₃ and E₄. Pods plant^-1 in E₁, E₂ and E₃ and primary branches plant^-1 in E₂ and E₃. GCV for seed yield was high which imparts good scope for yield improvement through direct selection in chickpea. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded in characters viz., 100-seed weight, seed volume, hydration capacity seed^-1, hydration index and swelling index in E₁, E₂, E₃ and E₄ and pods plant^-1 in E₁ and E₂. Biological yield plant^-1 in E₂, E₃ and E₄ and primary branches plant^-1 in E₂ and E₃ and plant height in E₃, which indicates that the heritability is due to additive gene action and the selection based on these character may be effective. The genotype JG 11 was stable for primary branches plant^-1 over all environments. GCP 101 was stable for biological yield plant^-1. Vaibhav, Indira Chana-1 and JGK 1 were stable for 100-seed weight. JG 14, Indira Chana-1, JG 74 and GCP 101were stable for seed yield plant^-1 and JG 14 and JG 74 were stable for harvest index over all the environments.