Determination of genetic variation and heritability estimates for morphological and yield traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under late sown conditions

Abstract

Genetic variability was estimated along with heritability (h2) and genetic advance (GA) among 45 genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability were observed for plant height, leaf length, leaflet length, width of leaflet, number of primary branches/plant, number of secondary branches/ plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod width, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. The differences between genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability was very small in all these traits indicating negligible role of environment. The characters, which showed poor estimates for PCV and GCV were days to maturity, days to 50% flowering, number of leaflets/leaf and seeds/pod. In the present study, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for seed yield/plant, width of leaflet and primary branches/plant indicated the presence of a considerable proportion of total variability due to genetic causes particularly the additive gene effects to be important for determining these traits. On the other hand, high heritability with moderate genetic advance was observed for number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant height, pod length, and pods/plant indicating the influence of environment for these traits. Low heritability percentage coupled with low and moderate genetic advancement has been observed for days to maturity indicated that this trait was greatly influenced by environment.