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Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is among the leading pulse crops worldwide due to its nutritional value and adaptability. The present study was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2024-25 cropping season. Twenty-five chickpea genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed among studied chickpea genotypes for all the measured traits. Genotype D-09027 was the earliest to emerge (8 days), whereas NDC-122 was the earliest flowering genotype (118.3 days). The shortest maturity duration (171.6 days) were recorded for Genotypes MG4, NDC-15-1, D-13012 and D-11030. Among the yield traits, ICC-19181 was recorded as the highest number of productive branches (10.6) and the highest pods count plant-1 (73.8). The same genotype also revealed the highest biological yield (6666.6 kg ha⁻¹), seed yield (1611.5 kg ha⁻¹) and the heaviest seeds (43.66 g). Alongside ICC-19181, genotype DG4 also performed well, yielding 1448.6 kg ha⁻¹ of seed and attaining the highest harvest index (62.3%). Genotype MG5 was another strong performer, producing a biological yield of 5833.3 kg ha⁻¹ and a 100-seed weight of 42.66 g. Genetic studies among the studied parameters showed that biological yield (h² = 0.96), seed yield (h² = 0.96), and 100-seed weight (h² = 0.87) exhibited a prominent broad-sense heritability, implying strong genetic control. Biological yield (GA = 2866.7) and seed yield (GA = 797) showed the highest genetic advance, indicating its strong potential for response to selection. The correlation study indicated that seed yield increased with higher numbers of pods plant-1 more productive branches, and greater biological yield, whereas plant height showed a negative relationship with yield. Thus, the results identified ICC-19181, DG4, and MG5 as highly promising genotypes for chickpea breeding programs aimed at yield enhancement.

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