Genetic studies for biofortification traits in chickpea

Abstract

Chickpea, being a valued crop, serves nutrition for an expanding population and its importance in terms of nutrition for body health has been highlighted frequently by nutritionists. Keeping in view the importance of Fe and Zn micronutrients in human diet as their deficiencies cause serious health hazards, the present analysis was carried out to determine the potential of parents (PKG 2, ICC 19, ICC 21, ICC 22 and ICC 24) and their crosses for Zn and Fe micronutrient content through diallel. Heterosis was also estimated to identify superior combinations. The gene action for combining ability was found to be non-additive type for Fe and Zn content. The gca effects for Fe content was found to be good in parents ICC 19, ICC 21 and PKG 2. While for Zn content, ICC 22 and ICC 19 was found to be good. The crosses, ICC 19 × ICC 24, PKG 2 × ICC 19 and ICC 19 × ICC 22 showed significant and higher positive sca effects for Fe content while for Zn content the crosses, ICC 19 × ICC 22, ICC 19 × ICC 24 and PKG 2 × ICC 21 may be considered good combiners. Out of 10 crosses, a cross PKG 2 × ICC 19 showcased significant positive heterosis over mid, better and check parents for Fe content and ICC 19 × ICC 24 depicted superiority over mid and better parents for Zn content and they also showed significant sca effects in desirable direction. Hence, crosses PKG 2 × ICC 19 and ICC 19 × ICC 24 could be found beneficial in biofortification programme in combating nutrient deficiency.