GENETIC PARAMETERS AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIENTINUM L.)

WOS: 000436522400063The present study was carried out to evaluate appropriate selection criteria for improving seed yield in chickpea breeding material under rainfed condition. For this reason, extent of genetic variability, heritability and path coefficient analysis were estimated for chickpea breeding programme. The present study was conducted with twelve genotypes for three years at the Mediterranean climate conditions in Turkey. The experiment was arranged in randomized block design with 3 replications. Genetic parameters and path coefficient analysis were determined for some quantitative characters. The highest broad sense heritability was found for 100-seed weight (86.22%). High heritability for 100-seed weight and height of first podding node coupled with high genetic advance was estimated. The highest direct effect on seed yield per plant was number of seeds/plant (82.1%) followed by 100-seed weight (46.6%). Number of full pods per plant, number of branches per plant had a great indirect effects on seed yield per plant. Conclusions it can be said that yield of chickpea should be improved by selecting plant with higher number of seeds per plant and 100-seed weight