Genetic variability for grain yield and quality traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present study was conducted at the field of Chaudhary Agriculture farms Kasur, Pakistan, during the crop season 2010-2011. Ten varieties of chickpea were evaluated for components of variability, heritability (h2bs) and interrelationships for various parameters. Correlation studies showed that biomass per plant, pods per plant, ash, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight were positive and significant at genotypic level but positive and highly significant at phenotypic level. Carbohydrates were negative and non-significantly correlated with grain yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient showed that 100-seed weight had maximum direct effect on grain yield followed by pods per plant, ash, seeds per pod, proteins and fats. The carbohydrates, moisture and biomass per plant had negative direct effects on grain yield.