Exploring the Chickpea Genotypes through Morphological Characterization for Improved Breeding

Abstract

Morphological characterization is a valuable approach used to examine observable traits in crop plants, enabling the identification, classification, and understanding of genetic variations within diverse genotypes. This supports breeders in selecting desirable traits and improving breeding programs. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the morphological characterization of 40 chickpea genotypes, focusing on 20 morphological traits, following the DUS testing guidelines proposed by PPV & FRA, GOI, 2007. The experimental study was carried out utilizing the randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M. P. Through the examination of these traits, distinct patterns were identified among the chickpea genotypes. Among the 20 traits analyzed, 5 traits exhibited a monomorphic pattern, 8 traits displayed a dimorphic pattern, 6 traits demonstrated a trimorphic pattern, while the remaining 1 trait revealed a polymorphic pattern. These results indicate a substantial degree of genetic variability within the studied chickpea genotypes, emphasizing the diverse nature of these traits that can be harnessed for targeted breeding efforts and highlighting the immense potential for the development of improved chickpea varieties.