Analysis of genetic variability parameters for seed yield and its attributing traits of desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under different environments in West Bengal

Twenty two promising Desi chickpea genotypes were grown in RBD with two replications under normal and late sown high temperature conditions with objective to estimate genetic variability for seed yield and its attributing traits to identify potential genotypes for heat tolerance. The maximum genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability (GCV and PCV) were observed for number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant under both environments, whereas number of primary branches per plant recorded minimum in late planting conditions. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean (GAM) was observed for all traits except days to maturity, plant height and number of pods per plant under both environments but the harvest index recorded moderate heritability coupled with low GAM in late planting conditions. This implies the presence of more additive gene effects for potential crop improvement. On the basis of mean performance for important economic traits under both environments, the genotypes ICCV 92944, Annigeri-1, JG-6, RSG-888, RSG-945 and ICCV-10 were identified as best performer for the number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, seed yield per plant and harvest index, as well as these genotypes were identified as heat tolerant for the respective traits. The genotype ICCV 10 had stable for yield and yield related traits over both environments, therefore it could be tested over locations for stability verification and for further use in breeding program.