Morphological Characterization based Genetic Diversity in Chickpea

The present investigation ¿Morphological Characterization based Genetic Diversity in Chickpeä was undertaken in 40 genotypes. The number of pods per plant exhibited highest range of variability followed by days to 50 per cent flowering, height of the plant and 100 seed weight. The estimates of genotypic as well as phenotypic coefficient of variation were highest for seed yield per plant followed by number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and number of secondary branches. The highest heritability was observed for 100 seed weight followed by seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant and days to 50 per cent flowering. The seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight, and height of the plant. The character 100 seed weight was the maximum contributor towards divergence followed by number of pods per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering and seed yield per plant. On the basis of inter cluster distances, cluster means and per se performance, the five genotypes viz., IC-83429, Vishal, IC-83397, IC-83340 and IC-83523 were found to be superior genotypes for further breeding programme.