Evaluation of genetic variability, heritability and trait interrelationships in chickpea for yield enhancement

The present study was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at SHUATS, Prayagraj, to assess genetic variability, trait associations, and direct-indirect effects of yield components in thirty diverse chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, including 29 experimental lines and a standard check. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and data were recorded on twelve quantitative traits. Significant genotypic differences (p≤0.01) were observed for all traits, indicating ample genetic variability. Seed yield per plant, pods per plant, and sterility index recorded high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV > 30%; PCV > 30%), high heritability (> 95%), and high genetic advance as percent of mean (> 60%), revealing predominance of additive gene action and high selection potential. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation analyses showed seed yield per plant to be strongly and positively associated with harvest index, biological yield, seeds per plant, and pods per plant, while plant height and phenological traits were negatively correlated with yield. Path coefficient analysis identified harvest index (0.709) and biological yield per plant (0.444) as the most important direct contributors to seed yield, with seeds per plant influencing yield indirectly via harvest index. Top-performing genotypes RSG 888, ICC 244263, and GOURI K 499 combined early maturity, compact plant stature, high pod and seed number, superior biomass, and high partitioning efficiency, achieving yields 75-100% above the experimental mean. The results suggest that breeding strategies for chickpea should prioritize traits with high heritability and direct yield effects, particularly harvest index and biomass production, while incorporating early phenology for stress avoidance. These findings provide a strong genetic basis for developing high-yielding, climate-resilient chickpea cultivars suited to Indian Rabi conditions.