The interrelationships of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) kernel yield and its components under rainfed conditions

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a native crop of Asia which is grown worldwide including Iran.In this study,different selection criteria including correlation,regression and path analysis were used to improve yield.The experimental design was split plot with RCBD replicated four times in which three sowing dates (5 January,4 February,and 5 March) were used in main plots and four genotypes;two semi bush types and early mature cultivars (ILC482 and Flip84-42) and two stand types and late mature ones (Hashem and Arman),were allocated to subplots.Results showed that Flip84-42 variety and 5 January sowing date had the highest amount of kernel yield, pod number per plant, kernel number per pod,100 kernel weight,biological yield,and days to flowering.There was a positive correlation between the kernel yield and pod number per plant (r=0.57**,p≤0.05),kernel number per pod (r=0.51**,p≤0.05),biological yield (r=0.39*, p≤0.05),plant height (r=0.31*,p≤0.05),branch number (r=0.22*,p≤0.05), leaf area index (r=0.59**,p≤0.05), and first pod height (r=0.58**,p≤0.05). Regression analysis also showed that yield was determined by biological yield,leaf area index and days to flowering. Results of path analysis revealed that biological yield had the greatest direct effect on kernel yield (p=0.61**,p≤0.05).This character was followed by number of pods per plant (p=0.31*,p≤0.05) and leaf area index (p=0.35*,p≤0.05).Results of this study indicated Flip84-42 and 5 January are the best variety and sowing date to cultivate chickpea in Badjgah region under dryland condition. In addition,it can be concluded that rainfed chickpea breeders should pay attention to the traits such as biological yield, leaf area index and days to flowering when selecting high-yielding genotypes.