PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CHICKPEA GERMPLASMS FOR HERITABILITY AND ASSOCIATION AMONG TRAITS

Abstract

Chickpea is 3^rd most essential, self-pollinated legume crop worldwide. Chickpea is a cheap source of protein and thrives in diverse climates; it is considered an essential component of the agricultural system. Based on phenotypic traits, the current study assessed the heritability and genetic advance of various characters at the seedling stage. A complete randomized block design experiment was laid out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of the Punjab greenhouse, during the growing season 2022-23. Five germplasms were utilized in the experiment. Data from seven morphological parameters was taken at the seedling stage. Combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation were performed using Statistics software. The genotypes have shown significant variation for all parameters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for seedling length, root length, and soot root ratio have shown little difference, indicating that variation in these parameters was because of genetic factors with little influence of environment. Root length, root­-shoot ratio, and leaf length had a strong correlation for seedling length. High heritability and genetic advance were observed in seedling length, root length, and root­-shoot ratio, signifying the ease of selection of these characters based on phenotypes.