Genetic variability studies on mechanical harvesting traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with 30 chickpea genotypes having erect to semi erect growth habit under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The statistical design adopted was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh during rabi 2016-17. The objective of the investigation was to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and traits related to mechanical harvesting. The study revealed that the genotypes ‘NBeG 780’, ‘NBeG 857’, ‘NBeG 47’, ‘NBeG 863’ and ‘BG 3061’ were identified to be high yielders and also suitable for mechanical harvesting under both environments. The marginal differences between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations indicated lesser environmental influence on the expression of these characters. Seed yield and height of the first pod under both the tested environments and plant height under irrigated condition exhibited high heritability and high expected genetic gain under selection.