Genetics of root characteristics for drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Bedis, M.R.; Patil, J.V.
Crop Research 34(1-3): 190-194
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-4884
Accession: 018992457
Two diverse parents viz., PG-96108 and ICC-4958 were selected durign rabi 2001-03 and crossed for advancement of nine generations by backcrossing to study the genetics of root characteristics for drought tolerance under irrigated and rainfed conditions under field and laboratory conditions. The accession ICC-4958 has been previously characterized as a source for drought tolerance in chickpea due to its deep root system. PG-96108 is wilt resistant, medium bold seeded and high yielding genotype. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the gene actions for the root characters among the parents viz., ICC-4958, PG-96108 and their different generations. Under simulated drought condition, root and shoot weight and root to shoot ratio were controlled by additive gene action, while under irrigated conditions, dominance gene action was found the predominant for root nodule weight and root volume. PG-96108 was the most drought tolerant genotype, as it recorded highest root length, root nodule weight and root to shoot ratio than ICC-4958. Under laboratory condition, F, had the highest mean root length among the basic generations followed by B-1, B-2, F-3 and B2F2 generations. PG-96108 recorded higher root volume and root to shoot ratio, while ICC-4958 recorded highest root length under laboratory condition. PG-96108 is the high scoring genotype for root characters among parents developed by backcrossing method.