CHARACTERIZATION OF DIVERSE ANGULAR, OWL’S HEAD AND PEA SEED SHAPED GERMPLASM OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

Joshi Priyanka^*, Yasin M.

Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, RAK College of Agriculture, Sehore, mp, India

ABSTRACT

Chickpea has narrow genetic base and availability of wide spectrum of variations in qualitative and quantitative is a key factor behind a successful breeding programme to achieve desirable type as per requirement of cropping situations. Four hundred genetically diverse germplasm of Indian origin were grown in randomized complete block design with two replications and ten morphological traits were recorded and germplasm categorized as per internationally acceptable chickpea descriptor. Predominant traits in germplasm was early plant vigour, stem pigmentation, medium leaflet size, pink flower colour, semi-spreading plant growth habit, angular seed shape, smooth seed surface and single pod per node and spectrum in other traits was also recorded but in low frequencies. Variable traits can be use in recombination breeding programme. The frequencies of germplasm and their relative significance have been discussed in this study.

Keywords: Chickpea, Germplasm, Diversity, Variability, Morphological traits