Assessment of genetic diversity among indigenous chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm under normal and water deficit conditions

Abstract

The genetic diversity of 80 chickpea genotypes was assessed under normal and water deficit conditions. Significant
differences were present among all the 80 chickpea genotypes. A biplot graph was used to record the interaction
between genotypes. Genotype 17365 had a maximum plant height of 83.2 cm among all the genotypes under water
deficit conditions, while genotype 17356 carries a maximum plant height of 71cm under average conditions.
Genotype 17306 was found with the highest number of pods per plant, 69 underwater deficit conditions, while
genotype 17333 carries the highest number of pods per genotype 47 under normal conditions. Maximum no. of seeds
per plant was observed in genotype 17356, having 85 seeds per plant under normal conditions, while Genotype 17339
carries determined seeds, i.e., 52 underwater deficit conditions. Genotype 17356 had a maximum yield per plant,
having 24.596g under normal conditions, while 17339 genotype carries the highest yield, i.e., 21 g, under water deficit
conditions. While genotype 17333 has a maximum biological yield of 55.55g under normal conditions, genotype
17339 carries a maximum biological yield of 42g under water deficit conditions. The 17361 genotypes have a
maximum 100 seed weight having 39.83g under normal conditions, while genotype 17303 carries a maximum 100-
seed weight of 34g under water deficit conditions. Genotype 17366 has a maximum harvest index of 78.64% under
normal conditions, while genotype 17342 carries 62% under water deficit conditions. So, this genetic diversity can
be used in the future to develop drought-tolerant and high-yield chickpea cultivars.