Genetic base of Indian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties revealed by pedigree analysis

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to determine the genetic base of 138 Indian chickpea varieties through pedigree analysis. The genetic base of 138 varieties can be traced to 160 ancestors utilised to bring genes in development of varieties. Among these, 118 ancestors were used only once or twice. The most frequently used parent included Rabat (37), Pb 7 (36), IP 58 (32), C 1234 (32) and S 26 (27). Rabat and Pb7 are present in the pedigree of more than 26% of varieties followed by C 1234 (23.29%), IP 58 (23.29%) and S 26 (19.57%). Most of the frequently used parents have been used indirectly in the crossing programme. Only 28 parents could represent 50% of total genetic base of chickpea varieties developed in the country. Although conscious efforts have been made to include diverse parents in the chickpea breeding leading to broad genetic base of the varieties yet a huge arsenal of germplasm lines remains unutilised or not resulted in varieties. There is a need to utilise the germplasm resources as well as modern techniques of breeding to incorporate multiple biotic and abiotic stress resistance for yield improvement and stabilization as well as improvement in market driven traits like extra-large seed sized kabuli lines. The present article describes the results of pedigree analyses to determine the genetic base of the released cultivars, reasons for narrow genetic base and possible approaches and strategies for its widening in chickpea.