Variability and correlation studies in desi, kabuli and intermediate chickpeas

Variability and correlation studies were carried out on two crosses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) involving a desi, kabuli and an intermediate type parents. T 39-1 a small seeded and high protein internediate line was crossed with a medium bold seeded desi variety RS 11 and a large seeded kabuli line.P 9623. The parental, F1 and F2 generations were evaluated at ICRISAT center. Significant differences between the two crosses were observed for plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of seeds per poa, 100-seed weight, seed protein and crude fibre content. Seed type also varied with the crosses. Kabuli and intermediate types were recovered in P 9623 x T 39-1 cross while desi and intermediate types were recovered in RS 11 x T 39-1 cross. In both the crosses, seed yield was positively correlated with number of pods, seeds, primary branches and secondary branches per plant. Protein and crude fibre content were unrelated with yield. Protein content showed negative correlation with 100-seed weight. Cross P 9623 x T 39-1 was considered superior to the other cross RS 11 x T 39-1 owing to bolder kabuli type of seeds with high protein and low crude fibre content in the segregants