Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Genotypes for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits Under Limited Water Condition

The present research work was conducted on 28 genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) including three checks during rabi season, 2021-2022 at research farm of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand to evaluate genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis under limited water condition.The genotypes were sown in randomized block design with three replications under rainout shelter with one irrigation and restriction with natural rainfall.Results revealed that Genotypic variance was higher for yield per plot and specific leaf area, while phenotypic variance indicated substantial environmental influence across all traits.Proline content, chlorophyll content, protein content, specific leaf area, number of pods per plant, and specific leaf weight exhibited higher genotypic coefficient of variation.Heritability ranged from low to high, with specific leaf area, specific leaf weight, and proline content displaying high heritability.Path analysis revealed that initial plant stand, days to fifty per cent flowering, plant height, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, wilt percent, proline content, protein content, specific leaf area, relative water content, and specific leaf weight directly affected yield per plant.Furthermore, the correlation analysis demonstrated a strong inherent relationship between traits, with genotypic correlations generally outweighing phenotypic correlations, indicating limited environmental influence in trait transmission.The study also identified a negative correlation between yield per plant and specific leaf weight.