Genetic variability among chickpea genotypes evaluated under two different environmental conditions

Genetic variability among diverse chickpea genotypes were studied at two different environmental conditions evaluated at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar and Agricultural Research Station, Ahmad Wala Karak, during 2007-2008. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on yield, yield components and other agronomic parameters to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genotype x environment interaction. Result revealed significant differences among genotypes for all traits under study. Genotype by environment interaction was also found highly significant for all the characters except for number of seeds per pod-1suggesting this trait is stable across both the environments. The genotypes at Karak showed significantly greater seed yield than at Peshawar. Based on yield performance, chickpea genotype SL-03-14 produced higher yield at both the environmental conditions. High heritability estimates were observed for days to flowering, plant height, number of nodules plant-1,100-seed weight, seed yield (kg ha-1) both at Peshawar and Karak. High heritability estimates showed the presence of genetic variability. Thus, these traits can be effectively utilized in future breeding program for genetic improvement of chickpea genotypes. Keywords: Genetic variability; Genotype X environment interaction; Heritability http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100129