Evaluation and Identification of High Yielding Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties in Wegdi and Legambo Districts, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a member of the legume plants and it has genomes with 16 chromosomes (2n = 2x = 16). The use of poor yielder local chick pea varieties was the problem of chickpea production in Ethiopia. Therefore, the present study designed to investigate the variability and adaptability of Kabuli chickpea varieties for yield and yield component traits. It was specifically, to evaluate genetic adaptability of Kabuli chickpea varieties and to identify promising candidate varieties to be used in Kabuli chickpea production. The study was carried out on 13 Kabuli chickpea varieties and the experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design at two locations with arrangement of 13 x 3 for each location. Results obtained on variability assessment and associations among yield related traits presented here. The analysis of variance showed highly significant variation among the varieties for all the traits at each location. Qobo with 4153 and 3932 kg ha-1, Kasech with 3839 and 3767 kg ha-1, Qoqa with 3673 and 3543 kg -1, Akuri with 3083 and 2883 kg ha-1 yield Kabuli chickpea varieties were top four potential and better performing varieties to distribute for farmers further adoption and yield improvement under different agro-ecologies.