Selection indices for high seed yield in desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes under terminal heat stress

Abstract

Seventy-one genotypes of desi chickpea including released varieties were evaluated over two years under normal and late conditions. The selection index based on discriminant function analysis was used to determine the phenotypic value of different characters in selection. Seed yield and its five contributing traits were used to construct the index under normal and late-sown conditions. The results indicated that the efficiency of the index increased with the inclusion of a greater number of traits. The best selection index for the normal sown condition was observed for three characters including date of maturity, reproductive phase duration, and number of pods per plant in E₁ as well as with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, and number of pods per plant in E₃ . On the other hand, under late sown conditions (E₂ and E₄ ), four characters seed yield per plant, reproductive phase duration, number of pods per plant, and 100-seed weight had the best selection index. This study showed that the selection of these characters may be considered for better genetic gain for higher seed yield under any of these conditions.