Determination of selection criteria with correlation and path coefficient analysis in chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Breeding

A field trial was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in yield and yield contributing characters using 45 diverse genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the eleven characters. Days to maturity, number of primary branches, number of pod per plant, biological yield per plant and 100 seed weight had positive and significant correlation with seed yield. The positive direct effect on seed yield was Biological yield per plant followed by day to maturity, harvest index and number of seed per pod. Negative direct effect on seed yield was recorded by days to 50 per cent flowering, 100 seed weight, Plant height, number of primary branches per plant and number of pods per pod. In addition to their high positive direct contribution towards number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, number of seeds per pod, biological yield per plant, harvest index, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, and primary branches per plant had exerted substantial positive indirect effects on grain yield via each other.