Genetic analysis for yield and its components in hybrids of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A half diallel making design was used to determine combining ability and heterosis of six chickpea lines and their hybrid combinations with R.C.B.D. in three replication for seed yield per plant, number of pods per branch, pods number per plant, first pod height and 100- seed weight, during 2015 and 2016 seasons, at the research Center of Al-Gab (G.C.S.A.R). Genotypes, general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability mean squares were significant for all studied traits. The ratio σ2 GCA / σ2 SCA were detected for all traits and showed that non- additive gene action was more important than additive gene action in controlling all studied traits. GCA effects showed that the lines P2(IL.10158) was good general combiner for number of pods per branch and plant, also, 100- seed weight where, P3 (IL.5883) and P4(IL.4) were good general combiner for first pod height and seed yield per plant, respectively. SCA effects showed that(P1×P2) hybrid was the best F1 crosses combination for seed yield per plant. On the other side (P1×P2), (P1×P4) and (P2×P4) were showed positive and significant heterosis values for seed yield per plant and 100- seed weight also first pod height and number of pod per branch and plant respectively.