Estimation of mean performance and genetic association of yield components and drought related traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of drought stress on 22 chickpea genotypes and one check by analyzing ecophysiological traits in field condition. Field experiments were carried out during 2009-2010 in two separate irrigated and non-irrigated conditions with randomized complete block design in three replications. Yield and yield components (RWC) were measured in each experiment, separately. Drought resistance indices of Relative Water content (RWC) and membrance stability index (MSI) were recorded under rainfed condition. Results indicated that values of studied traits significantly decreased in non-irrigated experiment compared to irrigated one. Correlation analysis revealed that grain yield/plant had significant genotypic and highly significant phenotypic relationship with number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, harvest index and biological yield/plant. Therefore, it is suggested that these traits should be used as selection criteria for yield improvement in chickpea.