Journal of Environmental Biology

Generation mean analysis to elucidate predominant gene effects and interrelationships of yield and contributing traits in chickpea under irrigated conditions

S.A. Shendekar¹, N.S. Kute¹*, Banoth Madhu², A.S. Totre³, P.L. Kulwal⁴ and G.C. Shinde¹     

¹Department of Agricultural Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri- 413 722, India

²Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, SR University, Warangal-506 371, India

³Department of Agricultural Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding), DUS testing on Chickpea, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri- 413 722, India

⁴Department of Agricultural Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding), State Level Biotechnology Center, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri- 413 722, India

Received: 05 May 2025                   Revised: 03 September 2025                   Accepted: 28 February 2026

*Corresponding Author Email: nskute2019@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4259-3126

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to estimate the gene action for yield and its components in chickpea through generation mean analysis and assess variability and trait interrelationships.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted at the Pulses Improvement Project, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India in Rabi 2023-24. The study used six generations (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, BC₁, & BC₂) from two crosses: Phule Vikram × ICC 4958 and RVG 202 × BGM 10216.

Results: The adequacy of the additive-dominance model was assessed using the joint scaling test. Significant results for all traits, except NPBP (No. of primary branches per plant) in Cross I, indicated model applicability. The dominance component exceeded the additive for most traits like NPP (No. of pods per plant) and 100SW (100 seed weight) in both the crosses, and DFF (days to 50% flowering), NPBP, SYP (seed yield per plant), BY (biomass per plant) and HI (harvest index) in Cross I. Both additive and non-additive gene actions contributed significantly. Implications for breeding strategies were discussed based on the type of gene action observed. Higher PCV (phenotypic coefficient of variation) than GCV (genotypic coefficient of variation) indicated environmental influence. Moderate heritability, genetic advance, and high heterosis for SYP were observed. Strong correlations between SYP and key yield components suggest that simultaneous selection for these traits can enhance chickpea productivity.

Interpretation: Identifying gene action and variability aids breeders in applying selection strategies, guiding breeding programs for development of high-yielding chickpea cultivars.

Key words: Agronomic traits, Chickpea, Gene action, Generation mean analysis

Copyright © 2026 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).