Genetic variability and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Pulses have been cultivated globally for many centuries and are recognized for their nutritional value, being rich in protein, dietary fiber and essential micronutrients. Pulses including chickpeas play a pivotal role in diets. In the present research work, thirty-one genotypes of Chickpea were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with two replications in field during Rabi 2022-23. The biochemical analysis for zinc and iron content was done in Laboratory. Observations were recorded for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, plant spread, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, iron content, zinc content and protein content. As per the path analysis the number of pods per plant exhibited the highest direct positive impact on seed yield per plant followed by days to maturity, plant height, 100 seed weight and plant spread. Based on divergence study and the mean performance of the chickpea genotypes viz., Phule G 1511-29-1 for the number of seeds per pod and seed yield, Phule G 1424-4-2 for secondary branches per plant, seed yield and plant height, Phule G 1415-13-20 for plant spread, days to maturity and seed yield, BDNG-2021-53 for days to maturity and 100 seed weight and Phule Vikram for secondary branches per plant and plant spread were observed promising and should be used in future breeding programme.