Genetic analysis for seed size in three crosses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Seed size (determined by 100-seed weight) is an important component of trade and yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The present investigation was undertaken to study the possibility of maternal inheritance for seed size and to estimate relative importance of additive and non-additive gene effects on seed size in three chickpea crosses involving two desi (ICC 5002 and ICC 7672) and two kabuli (ICC 11255 and ICC 17109) genotypes. The study included parents, F1, F2, backcross generations, and their reciprocals. Differences in the reciprocal mean 100-seed weight of F1, F2, and backcross generations were not detected in any cross. No definite major gene segregation pattern was observed in the F2 generation, and the continuous variation observed indicated quantitative inheritance. Generation mean analysis indicated the presence of additive gene effects controlling seed size in three crosses. Additive×additive type of non-allelic interactions were found significant in desi×kabuli crosses, ICC 5002×ICC 17109 and ICC 7672×ICC 11255. The selection and breeding procedure may be modified for maximum exploitation of the fixable additive×additive epistasis by delaying selection in later generations and by maintaining large populations prior to selection for maximum recombination of genes to occur