Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 1(5): 1339-1343(Sep 2010)

ISSN 0975-928X

Research Note
Genetic divergence, variability and character association studies in bengal
gram (Cicer arietinum L.)
Ch. Sreelakshmi, D. Shivani and C.V. Sameer Kumar
(Received: 13 Aug 2010; Accepted: 25 Aug 2010)

Abstract:
Forty genotypes of bengalgram were studied for genetic diversity and genetic variability for seven yield attributes. The analysis
of variance revealed wide genetic variation for all the traits studied. The genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters out of which
cluster I and II had the maximum number with seven genotypes each. Among the characters, seed yield contributed maximum
towards genetic divergence. The inter cluster D2 values ranged from 145.02 to 1086.57. A close correspondence between the
estimates of GCV and PCV was observed for days to maturity, number of pods per plant and seed yield. High heritability with
high genetic advance observed for seed yield, number of pods per plant and number of fruiting branches per plant indicated
additive gene action for these traits. Seed yield exhibited positive significant correlation with days to 50% flowering, days to
maturity, number of fruiting branches per plant and number of pods per plant.

Key words:
Bengal gram, divergence, variability

Chickpea is an important source of protein for nature of inheritance, necessitates a thorough

millions of people in developing countries. understanding of character association and its
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a self pollinated direct and indirect effects. The correlation
diploid (2n=2x=16) food legume which originated coefficient gives the measure of relationships
in southern Turkey (Ladizinsky and Adler, 1976) between traits and provides the degree to which
and subsequently spread to India and Europe where various characters of a crop are associated with
it is usually grown in arid climate. In addition to productivity. It is the result of direct and indirect
having high protein content (20-22%), it is also effects of a number of plant characters and
used as a protein rich animal feed and the selection based on these characters would be more
vegetative biomass is used as fodder. It is a short effective rather than seed yield. Path coefficient
duration rabi pulse crop and grain yield is a analysis is used in assessing the real contribution of
complex character for its improvement. various component traits towards seed yield, so that
Improvement of pulses emphasizes the urgency of direction for desired improvement may be
enhancing genetic potentiality for their yield. developed.
Characterization and identification of plant
varieties are important in agriculture and plant The experimental material comprised 40 diverse
research. Assessment of genetic variability among chickpea genotypes procured from International
genotypes is of great importance for genotype Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics
protection, conservation of genetic resources and (ICRISAT). The experiment was sown in a
broadening of the genetic base of the genotypes. It randomized block design with three replications
is essential to understand the genetic architect and during rabi 2009-10 at Agricultural Research
nature of gene action governing yield and its Station, Tandur. Each line was accommodated in
component traits. Seed yield being a polygenic two rows of 3m length each spaced at 45 cm
distance. The recommended package of practices
Agricultural Research Station, Tandur-501141, was followed to raise a normal crop. Data were
ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh recorded on days to 50% flowering, days to
Email: rishith_sree@rediffmail.com maturity, plant height (cm), number of fruiting
branches per plant, number of pods per plant, 100-

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ISSN 0975-928X

seed weight (g) and seed yield (kg/ha). Data were expression of these traits. Number of fruiting
subjected to statistical analysis to work out branches per plant and number of pods per plant
genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) recorded high GCV and PCV estimates. Low
coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for days
advance as per cent of mean as per standard to maturity and plant height culminated into low
methods. To assess the genetic diversity among the genetic advance as per cent of mean. Estimate of
distinct genotypes, the D2 statistics developed by heritability and genetic advance in combination are
Mahalonobis (1936) can be utilized. Genotypic and more important for selection than heritability alone.
phenotypic coefficients of variations were High heritability combined with high genetic
computed according to Johnson et al., (1955). The advance observed for seed yield, number of pods
correlations were further partitioned into direct and per plant and number of fruiting branches per plant
indirect effects as suggested by Dewey and Lu indicated that these characters were controlled by
(1959). additive gene effects and phenotypic selection
would be highly effective. Similar results were
The analysis of variance revealed significant reported earlier by Krishnaiah et al., (2002) in
differences among the genotypes for all the traits sesamum. Days to maturity revealed high
studied. Based on D2 statistics and Tocher’s heritability and medium genetic advance which
method (Rao, 1952), 40 accessions were grouped might be due to predominance of non-additive gene
into 8 clusters (Table 1). Cluster I and II had the action and / or less genetic variability for these
maximum number with seven genotypes followed traits in the present material. Correlation studies
by cluster IV and cluster VI with six genotypes, provide better understanding of yield components
cluster III and cluster V with five genotypes and which helps the plant breeder during selection
cluster VII with three genotypes. Cluster VIII was (Table 5). Seed yield was found to be significantly
solitary with single genotype indicating its and positively correlated with days to 50%
distinctiveness from the germplasm accessions with flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number
respect to traits considered. Similar findings were of fruiting branches per plant and number of pods
reported by Mahto et al, (1995) in linseed. The per plant. Days to maturity showed positive
cluster VIII recorded the highest seed yield (1500 significant association with number of fruiting
kg/ha), number of pods per plant (36) and days to branches per plant. Number of pods per plant
maturity (116) followed by cluster VII with highest recorded significant positive association with days
number of fruiting branches per plant (9) with more to 50% flowering and plant height. A positive
number of days to 50% flowering (Table 2). Seed significant association of days to 50% flowering
yield contributed more than 90% followed by with days to maturity, number of fruiting branches
number of pods per plant (1.15%) and days to per plant and number of pods per plant and their
maturity (0.77%) towards total genetic divergence positive association with seed yield indicated that
(Table 3).Average inter and intra cluster D2 values these are the major yield contributing characters in
among 40 genotypes (Table 4) revealed that cluster bengal gram and a selection for these traits would
VII followed by cluster V and VI had the possibly be helpful in getting a quantum jump in
maximum intra cluster values viz.,116.89, 93.44 yield increase of this crop. Path coefficient analysis
and 89.81 respectively indicating existence of based on genotypic correlation revealed almost
diverse genotypes that fell in these clusters. The same pattern of direct and indirect influence of
inter cluster D2 values ranged from 145.02 to different characters on seed yield. Thus, the results
1086.57 (Table 4). Minimum inter cluster D2 based on genotypic correlations indicated that days
values were observed between cluster I and III to maturity had large and positive direct effect on
indicating the close relationship among the seed yield followed by number of fruiting branches
genotypes included in these clusters. Maximum per plant, number of pods per plant and plant
inter cluster values were observed between clusters height. Whereas, days to flowering had negative
V and VIII (1086.57) followed by clusters V and direct effect on seed yield. Similar results were
VII (946.62) which indicated that genotypes reported by Patil and Duhoon (2007) in Niger.
included in these clusters were genetically diverse Days to maturity had high direct effect in positive
and may give rise to high heterotic response in direction and it had positive indirect effects via,
early generations if utilized repeatedly in the days to 50% flowering, number of fruiting
crossing programme, which in turn may release branches per plant and plant height resulting in
hidden variability by breaking tight linkages, if positive association with seed yield. The positive
any, as reported by Thoday (1960).A close direct effect of number of fruiting branches per
correspondence between the estimates of GCV and plant was manifested through indirect positive
PCV was noted especially in case of days to effects via, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity
maturity, number of pods per plant and seed yield and plant height. Thus, for improving the seed
indicating less environmental influence in the yield and developing high yielding genotypes of

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bengalgram due emphasis should be placed on Ladizinsky, G and Adler, A.1976. The origin of
number of fruiting branches per plant, number of chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. Euphytica, 25:
pods pr plant and days to maturity. As all these 211-217.
traits had high heritability coupled with high to Mahalanobis P.C. 1936. On the generalized distance in
statistics. In: Proceed. Natural Institute of Sci.,
moderate genetic advance, it may be possible to India, 2; 49-55.
have a rapid gain by mass selection. Since, late Mahto,J.L., Chaudhary, U. and Singh S.N. 1995.
flowering and maturity beyond certain limit is not Stability and genetic divergence in Linseed
desirable, greater emphasis should be laid on early (Linum usitatissimum L.) under rainfed
flowering and early maturing genotypes. situation. Indian J. Agric.Sci., 65:602-604.
Patil,H.S. and Duhoon, S.S. 2007. Component analysis in
References : niger, Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. J.
Dewey, D.R. and Lu, K.N. 1959. A correlation and path Oilseeds Res. 24:317-318.
coefficient analysis of components of crested Rao C.R. 1952. Advanced Statistical Methods in
wheat grass and seed production. Agron.J., 51: Biometrical Research. John Wiley and Sons,
515-518. Znc. New York.
Johnson, H.W., Robinson, H.F. and Comstock, R.E. Thoday, J.M. 1960. Effective of disruptive selection III
1955. Estimates of genetic and environmental coupling and repulsion. Heredity, 14:35-39.
variability in soybean. Agron.J., 47: 314-318.

Krishnaiah, G., Reddy, K.R. and Sekhar, M.R. 2002.

Variability studies in sesamum, Crop Res.,
24:501-504.

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Table 1: Average inter and intra cluster distances in bengal gram

I II III IV V VI VII VIII

I 54.33 322.62 145.02 305.36 491.03 161.09 463.08 600.27
II 65.90 456.17 620.61 184.39 186.53 778.35 917.81
III 59.99 175.34 624.58 289.07 331.08 465.99
IV 70.27 789.10 451.58 176.90 302.88
V 93.44 350.20 946.62 1086.57
VI 89.81 608.86 747.19
VII 116.89 158.54
VIII 0.00

Table 2: Cluster means for various yield attributes in bengal gram

Days to Days to Plant Number Number 100-seed Seed yield

flowering maturity height (cm) of fruiting of pods weight (g) (kg/ha)
branches per plant
per plant
I 57.86 105.00 33.14 7.00 25.86 25.74 901.00
II 53.86 97.00 28.71 5.71 19.00 18.77 583.57
III 54.60 99.00 34.00 9.00 26.40 18.77 1036.00
IV 56.83 105.17 32.00 7.83 29.50 23.09 1200.83
V 51.20 73.60 27.00 5.00 19.80 21.42 416.00
VI 54.33 96.17 29.17 6.17 20.50 21.38 755.50
VII 60.67 108.00 30.00 9.00 22.67 19.74 1357.67
VIII 53.00 116.00 32.00 6.00 36.00 22.61 1500.00

Table 3: Per cent contribution towards genetic divergence in bengal gram

Character % contribution
Days to 50% flowering 0.38
Days to maturity 0.77
Plant height (cm) 0.00
Number of fruiting branches per plant 0.13
Number of pods per plant 1.15
100-seed weight (g) 0.13
Seed yield (kg/ha) 97.44

Table 4: Genetic parameters for various quantitative traits in bengal gram

Character Mean PCV GCV Heritability GA as % of

(bs)(%) mean
Days to 50% flowering 55.32 114.53 14.78 1.7 3.93
Days to maturity 98.12 17.53 17.05 99.6 35.98
Plant height (cm) 30.67 18.93 13.27 49.2 19.17
Number of fruiting branches per 6.90 48.17 41.48 74.2 73.59
plant
Number of pods per plant 23.72 40.12 39.66 97.3 80.59
100-seed weight (g) 21.53 25.18 20.83 68.4 35.50
Seed yield (kg/ha) 874.07 35.14 35.11 100.0 72.33

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Table 5: Genotypic correlation coefficients in bengal gram

Character Days to Days to Plant Number of Number of 100-seed Seed

50% maturity height fruiting pods per weight yield
flowering (cm) branches per plant (g) (kg/ha)
plant
Days to 50% 1.0000 0.2209* 0.1425 0.3342* 0.2113* 0.1957 0.2344*
flowering
Days to maturity 1.0000 0.1901 0.2188* 0.0331 0.0306 0.5020*
Plant height (cm) 1.0000 0.1071 0.3428* 0.0267 0.4040*
Number of fruiting 1.0000 -0.0077 0.0080 0.4058*
branches per plant
Number of pods per 1.0000 0.0817 0.3589*
plant
100-seed weight (g) 1.0000 0.1217

Table 6: Direct and Indirect effects of different traits in bengal gram

Character / Cross Days to 50% Days to Plant Number of Number 100- Correation
flowering maturity height fruiting of pods seed coefficient
(cm) branches per plant weight with Seed
per plant (g) yield
(kg/ha)
Days to 50% -0.0677 -0.0150 - -0.0226 -0.0143 -0.0133 0.2344
flowering 0.0097
Days to maturity 0.0874 0.3956 0.0752 0.0866 0.0131 0.0121 0.5020
Plant height (cm) 0.0290 0.0387 0.2037 0.0218 0.0698 0.0054 0.4040
Number of fruiting 0.1075 0.0703 0.0344 0.3215 -0.0025 0.0026 0.4058
branches per plant
Number of pods per 0.0603 0.0094 0.0978 -0.0022 0.2853 0.0233 0.3589
plant
100-seed weight (g) 0.0179 0.0028 0.0024 0.0007 0.0075 0.0915 0.1217

Residual effect: 0.5162

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