Variations in morpho-physiological and yield attributes of kabuli chickpea genotypes in relation to seed size

Present study was undertaken with three categories of seed size of Kabuli chickpea genotypes. Leaf characteristics, viz., number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, and specific leaf weight were high in large-seeded category genotypes than other two seed size category genotypes during reproductive phase of plant growth and development. Photosynthetic rate, biomass accumulation was also higher in large-seeded category. Phenological parameters such as days to flower initiation and days to pod initiation were earlier in large-seeded category genotypes, while pods maturity was late in large-seeded category than in medium-and small-seeded category. However, mean number of flowers plant-1 was higher in medium-seeded category than in small-and large-seeded categories. Yield contributing parameters at harvest viz., per cent filled pods, number of seeds plant-1, number of pods plant-1, 100-seed weight, partitioning coefficient, harvest index and yield were greatly affected by seed sizes. On the basis of varietal differences, small-seeded genotypes GLK 26155 and BG 1053, and medium-seeded genotypes GLK 26164 and GLK 25121 had higher biomass, per cent filled pods, number of pods plant-1, Per cent pod set, 100-seed weight, partitioning coefficient and yield plant-1, while in large-seeded category, genotypes GLK 28119 and GLK 28126 showed higher biomass, per cent filled pods, per cent pod set, 100-seed weight, partitioning coefficient, harvest index and yield plant-1. Large-seeded genotypes showed higher Per cent filled pods, 100-seed weight, Per cent pod set and partitioning coefficient, followed by medium-and small-seeded genotypes, but the differences were non-significant. © 2014 Indian Society for Plant Physiology.