Double Podding Research Articles

Longwan 5: A Semi-Leafless Sugar Snap Pea Cultivar Resistant to Powdery Mildew

Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop, which is widely planted in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Sichuan Basin of southwest China. It has developed rapidly in spring planting agroecological zone in Northwest China in recent years. The major constraints to its cultivation are lodging and infection of powdery mildew. Breeding of high yielding cultivars resistant to powdery mildew is of great significance for the sustainability of pea production, because few local garden pea cultivars are resistant to the disease. Varietal diversification is needed to develop pea cultivars with resistance to lodging and powdery mildew. Breeding work was initiated to develop a high-yielding garden pea cultivar with medium maturity, double podding and resistance to powdery mildew. Longwan 5 (X9002) is high yielding, superior quality, multiple resistance, and climate resilient garden pea cultivar developed by hybridization between Shuanghua 101 and Baofeng 3. It is a semi-leafless pea variety with superiority over existing approved varieties Qizhen 76 and Xucai 1 in terms of green pod yield, medium maturity, and double podding. Longwan 5 gave a significantly higher average green pod yield (12,376 kg/ha) than check varieties Qizhen 76 (11,132 kg/ha) and Xucai 1 (11,649 kg/ha) across five locations and three years, which was 11.2% and 6.3% higher than control varieties, respectively. This variety is tolerant to lodging, powdery mildew disease, and wide climate resilient for spring cultivation as well as for autumn cultivation in irrigated conditions or rain-fed agricultural areas with annual precipitation of 450–650 mm in China. Cultivation of this variety on large scale will surely increase the production of peas in China and will also prove beneficial for farmers increasing their income.

Predicting the biomechanical stability of IOLs inside the postcataract capsular bag with a finite element model

Background and Objectives: Although cataract surgery is a safe operation in developed countries, there is still room for improvement in terms of patient satisfaction. One of the key issues is assessing the biomechanical stability of the IOL within the capsular bag to avoid refractive errors that lead to a second surgery. For that purpose, a numerical model was developed to predict IOL position inside the capsular bag in the short- and long-term. Methods: A finite element model containing the implanted IOL, the postcataract capsular bag, the zonules, and a portion of the ciliary body was designed. The C-loop hydrophobic LUCIA IOL was used to validate the numerical model and two more worldwide IOL designs were tested: the double C-loop hydrophobic POD FT IOL and the plate hydrophilic AT LISA IOL. To analyze the biomechanical stability in the long-term, the effect of the fusion footprint, which occurs days following cataract surgery, was simulated. Moreover, several scenarios were analyzed: the size and location of the capsulorexhis, the capsular bag diameter, the initial geometry of the capsular bag, and the material properties of the bag. Results: The biomechanical stability of the LUCIA IOL was simulated and successfully compared with the in vitro results. The plate AT LISA design deformed the capsular bag diameter up to 11.0 mm against 10.5 mm for the other designs. This design presented higher axial displacement and lower rotation, 0.19 mm and 0.2∘, than the C-loop design, 0.09 mm and 0.9∘. Conclusions: All optomechanical biomarkers were optimal, assuring good optical performance of the three IOLs under investigation. Our findings showed that the capsulorexhis size influences the stiffness of the capsular bag; however, the shape in the anterior and posterior curvature surfaces of the bag barely affect. The results also suggested that the IOL is prone to mechanical perturbations with the fusion footprint, but they were not high enough to produce a significant refractive error. The proposed model could be a breakthrough in the selection of haptic design according to patient criteria.

A Fine-Grained Horizontal Scaling Method for Container-Based Cloud

The container scaling mechanism, or elastic scaling, means the cluster can be dynamically adjusted based on the workload. As a typical container orchestration tool in cloud computing, Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) automatically adjusts the number of pods in a replication controller, deployment, replication set, or stateful set based on observed CPU utilization. There are several concerns with the current HPA technology. The first concern is that it can easily lead to untimely scaling and insufficient scaling for burst traffic. The second is that the antijitter mechanism of HPA may cause an inadequate number of onetime scale-outs and, thus, the inability to satisfy subsequent service requests. The third concern is that the fixed data sampling time means that the time interval for data reporting is the same for average and high loads, leading to untimely and insufficient scaling at high load times. In this study, we propose a Double Threshold Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (DHPA) algorithm, which fine-grained divides the scale of events into three categories: scale-out, no scale, and scale-in. And then, on the scaling strength, we also employ two thresholds that are further subdivided into no scaling (antijitter), regular scaling, and fast scaling for each of the three cases. The DHPA algorithm determines the scaling strategy using the average of the growth rates of CPU utilization, and thus, different scheduling policies are adopted. We compare the DHPA with the HPA algorithm under different loads, including low, medium, and high. The experiments show that the DHPA algorithm has better antijitter and antiload characteristics in container increase and reduction while ensuring service and cluster security.

Performance of Pod Orientation at Sowing on Germination and its Related Attributes in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Background: A Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, India during summer, 2020 to evaluate performance of different orientations of double pod sowing in comparison with kernel sowing (practice) on germination variability, yield and its related parameters of peanut. Methods: The experiment set up with four treatments replicated four times with pods sowing orientations viz., i) Sowing with vertical posterior-upwards ii) Vertical posterior-downwards iii) horizontal sowing and iv) sowing with kernels. Result: Results showed a little variation in germination between sowing orientation of double pods compared to kernel sowing. Though, mean germination percentage, germination energy, germination value and emergence energy value were higher in kernel sowing, pod sowing with vertical-posterior downwards elevated germination percent up to 97.45% and also inflated germination attributes and yield.

STMS (sequence tagged microsatellite site) molecular markers as a valuable tool to confirm controlled crosses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) breeding programs

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an annual, diploid and autogamous grain legume. Most breeding processes developed in this crop start with complementary crosses, but artificial hybridization is a tedious operation probably due to the injury of the pistil caused during emasculation due to the small size of the flowers. The success in pod formation after hybridization together with the possibility of testing the hybrid nature of F1 is a key point to optimize chickpea breeding. Morphological characters are not always adequate to distinguish between progeny, consequently molecular markers are needed to verify hybrid nature. In this study, we show our experience in crossing programs and the use of molecular markers to test hybridization rate in three different cases (A) obtaining advanced lines combining resistance to blight and fusarium wilt; (B) developing segregating populations for Orobanche foetida and (C) providing suitable materials to do genetic studies involving double pod mutants. A total of 2041 pollinated flowers produced 21.7, 16.8 and 8.7% of pods in each one of the three cases analyzed. Hybridization nature in F1 seeds was tested with STMS (sequence tagged microsatellite site) markers and ranged from 86 to 91% for the three cases. STMS markers were a valuable tool to detect hybrids, being simple to visualize and having a low cost. The confirmation of hybrid nature at the initial development stages of F1 plants is critical for reducing time and costs in breeding programs.

Fine mapping for double podding gene in chickpea.

For the first time, fine mapping for sfl locus was carried out using a battery of new STMS and SNP markers. The target region was delimited to 92.6Kb where seven annotated genes were found that could be candidate genes for the simple/double podding trait in chickpea. Four recombinant inbred populations (RIP-1, RIP-7, RIP-11, and CPR-01) were used to map the double podding gene (sfl) in chickpea. In RIP-1, the gene was initially mapped on linkage group (LG) 6 between the two sequence-tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers TA120 and TR1. Eight new STMS markers were added onto LG6 in the target region and sfl locus was finally located between CAGM27819 and CAGM27777 markers within an interval of 2cM. Seven out of the eight markers were mapped in RIP-7 and its reciprocal RIP-11 confirming the location of the sfl locus to a 4.8cM interval flanked by TR44 and CAGM27705. Furthermore, using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) map of CPR-01, sfl was mapped to the same genomic region in a 5.1cM interval between TR44 and the SNP scaffold1646p97220. Five pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) and eight recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were used to refine this region in the chickpea physical map. Combining data from linkage analysis in four RIPs, marker physical positions and recombination events obtained in both pairs of NILs and selected RILs, sfl could be placed within a genomic window of 92.6Kb. Seven annotated genes were extracted from this region. The regulator of axillary meristem-predicted gene could be a candidate gene for the simple/double podding gene. This study provides additional set of markers flanking and tightly linked to sfl locus that are useful for marker-assisted selection.

Comparison of expressivity and penetrance of the double podding trait and yield components based on reciprocal crosses of kabuli and desi chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.)

Double podding in cultivated chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) can increase yield and yield stability. In the present study, we performed reciprocal crosses of ‘kabuli’ (double podded) and ‘desi’ (single podded) chickpeas to determine (i) the expressivity and penetrance of double podding, (ii) the correlations of yield and yield components, and (iii) the heritability of double podding, flower color, and stem pigmentation in F2 plants. Reciprocal crosses were performed with two genotypes, AC 2969 (kabuli) and ICC 4969 (desi), to generate F1 and F2 plants. The results indicated hybrid vigor (heterosis) for yield in F1 plants and better performance of F2 plants. Yield and yield components of some lines in F2 were superior to the best parent, indicative of transgressive segregation. In particular, the presence of double podding (‘s’ allele) significantly increased yield in some of the transgressive segregants. Expressivity and penetrance of the ‘s’ allele depends on the background of the female parent. Some of the double podding progeny had greater seed yields than those of the single podding progeny and greater seed yields than the best parents. Double podding, stem pigmentation, and pink flowers each appears to be governed by a single recessive gene. Stem pigmentation and pink flowers appear to be linked traits that depend on the genetic background of the crossed chickpeas. Taken together, our studies of reciprocal crosses of kabuli and desi chickpeas clearly showed that yield could be improved by selection for transgressive phenotypes that have double podding.

Review: Annual crop adaptation to abiotic stress on the Canadian prairies: Six case studies

Bueckert, R. A. and Clarke, J. M. 2013. Review: Annual crop adaptation to abiotic stress on the Canadian prairies: Six case studies. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 375–385. More than half of Canada's grain crop production comes from the Canadian prairies, a region that experiences short growing seasons characterized by temperature and moisture stress. Historically, the region was dominated by temperate cereal production, but in recent decades crops have included canola (Brassica species) and pulses (chickpea, Cicer arietinum L.; dry bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L.; pea, Pisum sativum L.; lentil, Lens culinaris L.). Here we describe climatic conditions and the resulting abiotic stresses that are common in prairie crop production. We also showcase how specific cultivars have been successfully adapted to fit a short growing season of 95 to 120 d, and examine current strategies to improve crop performance on the Canadian prairies. Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) production has been increased by incorporating stress escape through early flowering, and stress avoidance through increased seasonal water extraction, water use efficiency and reduced loss from leaves. Dry bean, a warm-season crop, has been improved by selecting for rapid emergence in cool soils. The indeterminate crops chickpea, lentil, and canola (Brassica juncea L.) have been improved through breeding for early flowering, double podding (chickpea), high harvest index, and a longer reproductive duration (lentil and canola). Enhanced drought tolerance in chickpea is in progress using early flowering for drought escape, and rooting traits that improve water extraction and canopy transpiration to avoid water and heat stress. Crops grown on the Canadian prairies have superior quality profiles and two crops, durum and lentil, have become dominant in global exports.

Fast track genetic improvement of ascochyta blight resistance and double podding in chickpea by marker-assisted backcrossing

Ascochyta blight (AB) caused by the fungus Ascochyta rabiei Pass. Lab. is one of the major diseases of chickpea worldwide and a constraint to production in western Canada. The use of varieties with high levels of resistance is considered the most economical solution for long-term ascochyta blight management in chickpea. QTL for resistance to ascochyta blight have been identified in chickpea. The availability of molecular markers associated with QTL for ascochyta blight resistant and double podding provides an opportunity to apply marker-assisted backcrossing to introgress the traits into adapted chickpea cultivars. In the present study, molecular markers that were linked to the QTL for ascochyta blight resistance and the double podding trait, and those unlinked to the resistance were used in foreground and background selection, respectively, in backcrosses between moderately resistant donors (CDC Frontier and CDC 425-14) and the adapted varieties (CDC Xena, CDC Leader and FLIP98-135C). The strategy included two backcrosses and selection for two QTL for ascochyta blight resistance and a locus associated with double podding. The fixation of the elite genetic background was monitored with 16-22 SSR markers to accelerate restoration of the genetic background at each backcross. By the BC2F1 generation, plants with improved ascochyta blight resistance and double podding were identified. The selected plants possessed the majority of elite parental type SSR alleles on all fragments analyzed except the segment of LG 4, LG 6 and LG 8 that possessed the target QTL. The results showed that the adapted variety could be efficiently converted into a variety with improved resistance in two backcross generations.

Effects of Mixed Salt Stress on Germination Percentage and Protection System of Oat Seedling

In order to determine the effect of mixed salt stress on the germination rate of naked oat and protective enzymes of its’ seedling, in this study, using artificial culture box of climate, oat varieties (Yanke 1, Canadian 9, Big oat, Canadian 8, Canadian 6 and Baoluo) were cultivated in mixed salts solution. The results showed, with the increasing of concentration of double salts, the germination ratio and plant height decreased, semi-lethal concentration was between 1.5% and 2.6, utmost concentration was between 2.3 and 3.8%, respectively; the CAT activity of Big oat decreased, but that of other varieties increased first and then decreased, the peak value appeared when concentration of double salts was between 0.4 and 0.6%, respectively. And with the increasing of the concentration of double salt, POD activity and SOD activity of six oat varieties increased first and then decreased and its highest value appeared when concentration of double salts was between 1.2 and 1.8% respectively; the proline contents of all varieties increased, while the MDA contents decreased first and then increased and its minimum value appeared when concentration of double salts was 0.2%. To sum up, under the condition of salt stress, it was likely because of increasing of protective enzyme activity and proline contents to make salt tolerance of oats higher and salt tolerance of different varieties showed significant difference. The salt tolerance order showed that Yanke 1>Canadian 9>Baoluo>Big oat>Canadian 8>Canadian 6.

Development of an integrated intraspecific map of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) using two recombinant inbred line populations

A composite intraspecific linkage map of chickpea was developed by integrating individual maps developed from two F(8:9) RIL populations with one common parent. Different molecular markers viz. RAPD, ISSR, RGA, SSR and ASAP were analyzed along with three yield related traits: double podding, seeds per pod and seed weight. A total of 273 markers and 186 RILs were used to generate the map with eight linkage groups at a LOD score of >/=3.0 and maximum recombination fraction of 0.4. The map spanned 739.6 cM with 230 markers at an average distance of 3.2 cM between markers. The predominantly used SSR markers facilitated identification of homologous linkage groups from the previously published interspecific linkage map of chickpea and confirmed conservation of the SSR markers across the two maps as well as the variation in terms of marker distance and order. The double podding gene was tagged by the markers NCPGR33 and UBC249z at 2.0 and 1.1 cM, respectively. Whereas, seeds per pod, was tagged by the markers TA2x and UBC465 at 0.1 and 1.8 cM, respectively. Eight QTLs were identified that influence seed weight. The joint map approach allowed mapping a large number of markers with a moderate coverage of the chickpea genome and few linkage gaps.

Short internode, double podding and early flowering effects on maturity and other agronomic characters in chickpea

Chickpea is an indeterminate species, which continues to flower and set new pods over a long period under wet and cool growing conditions, resulting in excessive canopy development and delayed maturity. We hypothesized that the chickpea's long season requirement could be reduced through introgression of short internode, double podding and early flowering. Four populations E100Ym/CDC Anna, 272-2/CDC Anna, 298T-9/CDC Anna, and 298T-9/CDC Frontier were developed to test this hypothesis with the first parents of each cross being the donor of the short internode, double podding and early flowering traits, respectively. Also, the donor parents E100Ym, 272-2 and 298T-9 were intercrossed. Segregating populations of F 2 to F 3:6 generations were then evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. When expressed well, double podding significantly reduced time to maturity as compared to the single podding counterparts. The best double podding lines were about 1 week earlier maturing than the early parent and standard checks. Days to flowering (DF) was positively associated with days to maturity (DM) ( r = 0.44, P < 0.001), and partial path analysis revealed that DF contributed to DM mainly via days to first pod maturity (DFPM). In the two early flowering populations 298T-9/CDC Anna and 298T-9/CDC Frontier, DF determined about 32% of the variation in DFPM. Conversely, the short internode trait had an undesirable effect, in that all the short internode segregants were too late to mature. In conclusion, the alleles for double podding and early flowering may be used to improve early maturity in chickpea and subsequently minimize the risks associated with the production of this crop in environments where the growing conditions allow excessive crop canopy development, as in the Canadian prairies.

A linkage map of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) based on populations from Kabuli × Desi crosses: location of genes for resistance to fusarium wilt race 0

Two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from intraspecific crosses with a common parental line (JG62) were employed to develop a chickpea genetic map. Molecular markers, flower colour, double podding, seed coat thickness and resistance to fusarium wilt race 0 (FOC-0) were included in the study. Joint segregation analysis involved a total of 160 markers and 159 RILs. Ten linkage groups (LGs) were obtained that included morphological markers and 134 molecular markers (3 ISSRs, 13 STMSs and 118 RAPDs). Flower colour (B/b) and seed coat thickness (Tt/tt) appeared to be linked to STMS (GAA47). The single-/double-podding locus was located on LG9 jointly with two RAPD markers and STMS TA80. LG3 included a gene for resistance to FOC-0 (Foc0(1)/foc0(1)) flanked by RAPD marker OPJ20(600) and STMS marker TR59. The association of this LG with FOC-0 resistance was confirmed by QTL analysis in the CA2139 x JG62 RIL population where two genes were involved in the resistance reaction. The STMS markers enabled comparison of LGs with preceding maps.

Effects of the erect/bushy habit, single/double pod and late/early flowering genes on yield and seed size and their stability in chickpea

The development of ascochyta blight resistant chickpea lines has allowed autumn sowing of this crop, and increased seed yields as result of higher biomass production than the traditional spring sowing in the Mediterrranean region. A second step in the chickpea yield improvement could be to increase harvest index. In this sense, the effect of the erect/bushy habit, single/double pod and late/early flowering genes on yield and seed size and their stability was studied using eleven F 6:7 ascochyta blight resistant chickpea lines. These lines were derived from a cross between an erect, single podded and late flowering line and a bushy, double podded early line. Six lines out of eleven were erect and late flowering (three being single and three double podded), two were single podded, bushy and late flowering, two double podded, bushy and early flowering, and finally one single podded, bushy and early flowering. A multilocation trial during four and 3 years under autumn and spring sowing, respectively, in the south of Spain was performed for yield and seed size. The stability of these lines was studied by AMMI analysis. Our results suggest that the double pod gene has no effects on both yield and seed size, although, confers a higher yield stability than the single pod gene. The mean yield of the lines with bushy growth habit, across all environments, was higher than that of the erect habit lines; 208.1 and 179.8 g/m 2 in autumn and 120 and 101.4 g/m 2 in spring sowing, respectively. Mean yield of the early lines, across all environments was higher than that of late lines; earliness was more important under spring sowing with yields of 130.2 and 102.3 g/m 2 for early and late lines, respectively. Thus, for developing new chickpea cultivars under Mediterranean conditions, breeding programs should consider that (i) for spring sowing, early flowering and bushy types are the characters with greater influence on yield and yield stability, respectively, and (ii) for autumn sowing, the important characters are bushy habit on yield and double pod and earliness on yield stability.

Mapping genes for double podding and other morphological traits in chickpea

Seed traits are important considerations for improving yield and product quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The purpose of this study was to construct an intraspecific genetic linkage map and determine map positions of genes that confer double podding and seed traits using a population of 76 F10 derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of ‘ICCV-2’ (large seeds and single pods) × ‘JG-62’ (small seeds and double podded). We used 55 sequence-tagged microsatellite sites (STMS), 20 random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), 3inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and 2 phenotypic markers to develop a genetic map that comprised 14 linkage groups covering297.5 cM. The gene for double podding (s) was mapped to linkage group 6 and linked to Tr44 and Tr35 at a distance of7.8 cM and 11.5 cM, respectively. The major gene for pigmentation, C, was mapped to linkage group 8 and was loosely linked to Tr33 at a distance of 13.5 cM. Four QTLs for 100 seed weight (located on LG4 and LG9), seed number plant-1 (LG4), days to 50% flower (LG3) were identified. This intraspecific map of cultivated chickpea is the first that includes genes for important morphological traits. Synteny relationships among STMS markers appeared to be conserved on six linkage groups when our map was compared to the interspecific map presented by Winter et al. (2000).

Registration of ICCV 96029, a Super Early and Double Podded Chickpea Germplasm

Crop ScienceVolume 41, Issue 2 p. 605-606 Registration of Germplasm Registration of ICCV 96029, a Super Early and Double Podded Chickpea Germplasm Jagdish Kumar, Corresponding Author Jagdish Kumar j.kumar@cgiar.org Genetic Resources and Enhancement Program, ICRISAT Patancheru, AP, 502 324 IndiaCorresponding author (j.kumar@cgiar.org)Search for more papers by this authorB.V. Rao, B.V. Rao Genetic Resources and Enhancement Program, ICRISAT Patancheru, AP, 502 324 IndiaSearch for more papers by this author Jagdish Kumar, Corresponding Author Jagdish Kumar j.kumar@cgiar.org Genetic Resources and Enhancement Program, ICRISAT Patancheru, AP, 502 324 IndiaCorresponding author (j.kumar@cgiar.org)Search for more papers by this authorB.V. Rao, B.V. Rao Genetic Resources and Enhancement Program, ICRISAT Patancheru, AP, 502 324 IndiaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 March 2001 https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2001.412605xCitations: 20 Approved as ICRISAT JA No. 2310. Registration by the CSSA. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume41, Issue2March–April 2001Pages 605-606 RelatedInformation

Penetrance and expressivity of the gene for double podding in chickpea.

The double-pod per peduncle trait is known to contribute to increased seed yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). A cross was made between the single-podded variety ICCV 2 and the double-podded variety JG 62 in 1993. Penetrance and expressivity of the gene for double podding was studied in an F2 population and F10 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of this cross. Homozygous recessive allele of this gene (ss) governs the production of double flowers and pods per peduncle. Results indicated that the s allele has unstable penetrance and variable expressivity. The penetrance of this allele was 53% for the F2 and 84.5% for the RILs. The ranges for the expression of this trait among the penetrant F2 individuals and the penetrant RILs were 1.1-14.8% and 0.1-33.0%. These were 8.3-30.8% for early sown and 17.1-68.7% for the late sown double-podded parent JG 62. Thus it appears that the allele shows greater penetrance and enhanced expressivity under soil moisture stress. In the F2 the seed yield advantage of the double-podded over the single-podded plants was 18%, whereas among the RILs it was 7%. The increased number of pods and seeds contributed to the higher yield. However, there was a slight decrease in seed size of the double-podded genotypes. An increase in the size of seed may have a role in the decreased penetrance and expressivity of this allele among the double-podded segregants of the ICCV 2 x JG 62 chickpea cross.

Effect of the gene for double pod in chickpea on yield, yield components and stability of yield

AbstractFive pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) for the gene for single vs. double pod were used to study the effect of this character on yield and its components (seeds per plant, yield per plant and seed weight). The NILs were sown in 2 years at five locations in ihe first year and four locations in the second. Combined analysis of variance was applied to t he data and no significant differences between isolines were found, but there were significant genotype– location interaction effects for yield and seeds per plant. For both characters the double–podded lines were more stable than the single–podded lines. Although there were significant differences between the five genotypes lor yield per planl and seed weight, the differentes between single– and double–podded lines were almost nil. The results indicate that the double–pod gene has a positive effect on the stability of yield and is not linked to any other gene responsible Tor seed size in chickpea