Genetic analysis of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) resistance and grain yield in desi and kabuli chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) under unprotected conditions

Abstract

Half-diallel cross progenies of desi (45F1s and 45F2s) and kabuli (28F1s and 28F2s) chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) along with their parents (10 desi and 8 kabuli) with varying levels of pod borer resistance (PBR) were evaluated in replicated field trials under unprotected conditions during 2001-2002 post-rainy season at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India to study the inheritance of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.), and grain yield. Additive genetic variation was important for the inheritance of PBR in desi chickpea. However, both additive and dominance genetic variations were important in the inheritance of PBR in kabuli chickpea. However, dominance genetic variation was predominant in the inheritance of grain yield in both desi and kabuli chickpeas. The correlation coefficient between general combining ability (gca) effects estimated based on data of F1 and F2 generations was fairly higher, while it was lower for specific combining ability (sca) effects in desi chickpea for PBR. The correlation coefficient between gca effects and between sca effects estimated based on F1 and F2 generations’ data for PBR in kabuli chickpea and for grain yield in desi and kabuli chickpeas were very low. Chickpea lines with significant gca effects for PBR and grain yield in desi and kabuli chickpeas were identified. The implications of study results are discussed in relation to strategies to enhance PBR and grain yield levels.