Combining abilily in chickpea (Cicer arletimum L.).

Eight lines and three testers were used to make crosses as per line x tester design. F1’S alongwith their parents were evaluated for GCA and SEA, for twelve characters of agronomic importance. Results were Indicative of predominance of non-additive gene actions for pods per plant, biological yield/p1ant, plant height, 100-seed weight, seed yield/plant and days to maturity. Whereas equal importance of additive as well as non-additive genetic variance were revealed for seeds/pod and primary branches/p1ant. Additive genetic variances were important for harvest index, days to 50% flowering, reproducive period and secondary branches/plant. The lines ICCL 87322, BG 256, ICCV2 and BG 384 were found to be best general combiner for most of the yield contributing traits.