Estimation of Heterosis for Seed Yield and Yield Contributing Characters of Desi x Desi Crosses of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Late Sown Condition

Aims: To estimate the relative heterosis & heterobeltiosis for seed yield and it’s contributing characters in chickpea. The study was conducted in chickpea for the evaluation of genetic makeup of chickpea genotypes and their further use in chickpea improvement program, information regarding their mean performance and heterosis is very helpful.

Study Design: Randomized block design (RBD) was followed.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at research farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura (SKNAU, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasathan) during rabi2019-2022.

Methodology: An investigation consisted of eight chickpea genotypes viz., RSG-888, CSJD-884, RSG-963, RSG-973, RSG-974, CSJ-515, Avrodhi and HC-5 and crossed in all possible combinationswere raised inrandomized block design (RBD) with three replications in late sown condition December, 2021.

Results: The ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) for different characters revealed that the significant mean square due to generations and parents for all the studied characters under study.The maximum relative heterosis over mid-parent was observed as 49.99 per cent (CSJ-515 × HC-5). Similarly, maximum heterosis over better parent was observed as 35.46 per cent (RSG-973 × HC-5). Therefore, these crosses were observed more heterotic as well as heterobeltiotic for seed yield per plant under late sown environment.

Conclusion: In this study additive and non additive type of gene actions were important in governing all traits studied resulting in high heterosis in selected cross combinations for seed yield per plant and attributed traits.