Pod volume and pod filling as useful traits of chickpeas

A total of 83 accessions, selected from the ICRISAT gene bank to provide geographical diversity and wide variation for pod and seed sizes, were sown in November 1990. Pod and seed sizes and pod filling percentage were measured by the principle of equivalent water volume displacement. Pod volume varied from 0.3 to 2.8 ml and pod filling from 8.9 to 56.5%. There was a strong positive correlation between pod volume and seed size, and since seed size is a heritable trait, so therefore is pod volume. Pod filling percentage showed a generally negative trend with pod volume and seed mass, although some accessions were identified with high yields, large seeds and also high pod filling capability (e.g. Annigeri and K850). By breeding for increased pod filling percentage, a further increase in seed yield potential is possible.