Correlation and path analysis for grain yield and yield components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea is the second most important pulse crop in the world after dry bean. The aim of this study was to estimate the correlation coefficients and path analysis between seed yield, morphological traits and yield components. Twenty five chickpea genotypes, including advanced lines and commercial varieties, were grown under dryland condition at Brojerd Agricultural Research Station (west of Iran) during two seasons (2012-2013 and 2013-2014). The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed that the studied genotypes differed significantly in seed yield, days to flowering, days to maturity, flowering period, canopy height, number of pods per plant, biological yield and harvest index. The correlation coefficients indicated that there were significant and positive correlations between seed yield and number of pods per plant and harvest index in two years. Path analysis indicated that days to flowering, days to maturity, canopy height and width, number of pods per plant and flowering period directly and indirectly affected seed yield. Therefore, this study suggested that chickpea improvement program could be based on these traits, especially number of pods per plant and canopy height, according to positive direct effect on seed yield over two years, as selection criteria.