Identification of suitable traits in derivatives derived from Cicer arietinum x C. pinnatifidum cross for improving chickpea productivity

A set of 158 interspecific chickpea derivatives and their parents (Bushy Mutant and Cicer pinnatifidum acc. ILWC 0) were subjected to correlation and path analysis studies for two seasons (2018–19 and 2019–20). Correlation studies revealed significantly positive association of plant height, pods per plant, biological yield per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight with seed yield per plant. The number of seeds per pod exhibited significant positive correlation with days to maturity. Path analysis indicated high positive direct effects of pods per plant, biological yield per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight towards seed yield per plant, while plant height exhibited negative direct effect. The highest indirect contributions of plant height, pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight were prominent via biological yield per plant. The correlation and direct effects were found to be the highest for biological yield per plant followed by pods per plant thereby implying the utilization of these traits for direct selection for improving productivity in chickpea.