Investigation of correlation analysis and relationships between grain yield and other quantitative traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Understanding the relationships between chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield and yield components is critical to utilizing these relationships effectively and thus developing desirable varieties. This research was done in order to investigate the correlation analysis and relationships between grain yield and other quantitative traits with three chickpea cultivars (Filip-84-48-c, Ilc-482 and Arman) and three sowing date (March 6, 21 and April 4). A 3 x 3 factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) format with three replications was conducted in the research field of the Azad University of Kermanshah, during 2006. The results showed that both sowing date and cultivar had significant effects on grain yield and yield components of chickpea. Early planting chickpea produced the highest plant height, distance of first pod from the earth surface, number of sub branch, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. The sowing done on March 6 had the highest while April 4 had the lowest grain yield. There were significant differences between cultivars of grain yield. The highest grain yield belonged to Arman with 1067.1 kg/ha. Results showed that number of seeds per plant (r = 0.846**), number of pods per plant (r = 0.827**), plant height (r = 0/813**) and biological yield (r = 0.798**) had the highest positive correlation with grain yield. The results of path coefficient analysis revealed that number of seeds per plant had high and positive direct effects (0.76) on seed yield, but number of pods per plant was an important constituent (0.41).