Genetic Variability and Character Association in Chickpea Germplasm (Cicer arietinum L.).

Genetic variability assessed among 32 advanced breeding lines of chickpea for grain yield and early duration suited in randomized block design with three replications. Highest genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was studied in seed yield per plant. Heritability is a measure of the extent of phenotypic variation caused by the action of genes. Heritability in broad sense ranged from 55% for total yield (t/ha) followed by 53% for days of 50% flowering, High expected genetic advance coupled with high heritability estimate was obtained for plant height, number of secondary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, and seed yield per plant suggesting the dominant role of additive gene effects in expression of these traits. Grain yield per plant has positive and significant association with biological yield, harvest index, test weight was also estimated.