“GENETIC DIVERSITY AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS IN CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.)”

Abstract

Pulses are unique crops having in-built mechanism to trap atmospheric nitrogen in their root nodules and restore soil fertility. They are capable of thriving in harsh and fragile environment. Pulses are richest and cheapest source of protein and form major ingredient of diet of vegetarian population of the country. They contain 20 to 25 % proteins as against 8 to 15 % in cereals. Chickpea is rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and possesses calories higher than any of the legume except groundnut and lupine seeds. Being fairly tolerant to soil moisture stress, pulses occupy important position in different cropping systems (Anonymous, 2011). Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an integral part of an Indian agriculture since long time, because of its intrinsic value in terms of higher protein content, carbohydrates, minerals, nitrogen fixing ability and indispensability as alternative crop for crop diversification. Chickpea occupies a prime position among the pulses in the country with a maximum hectarage, production and its high nutritive value. It is known to have originated in Western Asia. It belongs to genus Cicer and tribe Cicereae, sub-order Papilionaceae of order Leguminoseae. Of the 39 known species distributed mainly in Central and Western Asia, two are found to be cultivated in India, viz; Cicer arietinum (2n = 14) which is most widely cultivated and Cicer songaricum (2n = 16) cultivated in Western temperate and Alpine regions (9000-15000 ft. in altitude) of Himalaya (Anonymous, 1950).