Assessment of genetic diversity among chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes

DOI: 10.37992/2023.1404.158

  • Reena Kumari,
  • Rafat Sultana,
  • Zafar Imam and Jyoti Kumari

Abstract

The experiment conducted at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, India, during the rabi season of 2020-21 aimed to assess genetic diversity among 35 chickpea genotypes and identify those with traits associated with terminal heat tolerance using phenotypical parameters. Based on D2 analysis, the genotypes were classified into six clusters using the Tocher method. Clusters I and II comprised the majority of the genotypes while Clusters IV, V, and VI: were the least populated. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between Cluster III and V, followed by Cluster III and IV and Cluster III and VI. This indicated that there was significant diversity between the genotypes belonging to these clusters.  In terms of agronomic traits, all clusters showed the highest mean value for grain yield under late sown conditions, indicating their potential for better yield performance. Among the 12 traits studied, 100-seed weight exhibited the highest contribution in the manifestation of genetic divergence. The diverse clusters identified in the study can be valuable for breeding programs. They can be used to develop improved chickpea varieties that are better adapted to late-sown conditions and have enhanced productivity. This could contribute to more resilient chickpea crops, especially in regions where terminal heat stress is a concern.

Keywords: Tocher method, grain yield, genetic divergence, chickpea

Published
04-01-2024
How to Cite
Reena Kumari, Rafat Sultana, Zafar Imam and Jyoti Kumari

Assessment of genetic diversity among chickpea Cicer arietinum L. genotypes

. 2024. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 14 4, 1553-1559. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/4857
Issue
Vol 14 No 4 (2023): EJPB
Section
Research Note

It is certified that:

  • The corresponding author is fully responsible for any disputes arising due to the publication of his/her manuscript.
  • The article has been seen by all the authors who are satisfied with its form and content.
  • The sequence of names of authors in the by-line is as per their relative contribution to this experiment, giving due credit to all scientists who made notable contribution to it.
  • All the authors fully understand that inclusion of any other co-authors or exclusion of any co-authors is not possible once the article has been submitted to the journal.
  • The corresponding author takes full responsibility for this article.
  • The address of the organization where the research was conducted is given.
  • The article is exclusive for this journal, and the results reported here have not been sent (and will not be sent during its consideration by this journal) for publication in any other journal.
  • Authors agree to abide by the objective comments of referees and do agree to modify the article into a short note as per the recommendation, for publication in the Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding.
  • If published in Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, the copyright of this article would vest with the Indian Society of Plant Breeders, who will have the right to enter into any agreement with any organization in India or abroad engaged in reprography, photocopying, storage and dissemination of information contained in it, and neither we nor our legal heirs will have any claims on royalty.