The Study of Genetic Diversity, Heritability and Genetic Advance of Phenological Traits and Yield in Kabuli Chickpea International Genotypes

Chickpea (Cicerarietnum) as the third most important grain legume in the world is not only an important source of feed but also improve soil fertility by adding nitrogen. This study was aimed to assess the variability of morphological trait, to estimate PCV, GCV, heritability, and expected genetic advance of quantitative traits of Chickpea. The genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with two replications. PCA analysis showed first four factors justified almost near to 78.3 percent variance among studied characters. Cluster analysis via Ward method classified all enotypes in three groups and the highest genetic distance wasobserved between cluster 1 and cluster 3. It is shown that the seed yield (0.88) trait has the highest PCV and GCV. The highest heritability was found for 100- seed weight (0.88), number of day to flowering (0.83) and plant height whereas high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found for seed yield. So seed yield can be the most important criteria for selection parental lines in breeding programs. Also in regard to the highest genetic distance between cluster 1 and cluster 3, genotypes of two clusters could be used for intercrossing to develop improved cultivars.