In order to increase genetic variability for chickpea improvement, the Kabuli genotype, variety Ghab4, was treated with Grays of gamma rays Cobalt Field characterization began with the M 2 generation. A total of M 2 families were sown in the field resulting in approximately 4, plants. Traits related to phenology days to flowering, days to maturity , plant morphology of vegetative parts plant height, height of first pod, number of primary branches per plant and yield number of seeds per pod, total number of pods per plant, total number of seeds per plant, seed yield and hundred seed weight were recorded and analyzed to evaluate genetic variability.
Mutation screening focused on genes involved in resistance to two important diseases of chickpea; Ascochyta blight AB and Fusarium wilt FW , as well as genes responsible for early flowering.
Analysis of variance showed a highly significant difference among mutant families for all studied traits. The higher estimates of genetic parameters genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance were recorded for number of seeds per plant and yield.
Total yield was highly significant and positively correlated with number of pods and seeds per plant. Path analysis revealed that the total number of seeds per plant had the highest positive direct effect followed by hundred seed weight parameter. One cluster from nine exhibited the highest mean values for total number of pods and seeds per plant as well as yield per plant. Pilot experiments with low-cost TILLING show that the seed stock used for mutagenesis is homogeneous and that small mutations do not predominate at the dosage used.
Chickpea Cicer arietinum L. It is the earliest domesticated crop in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region Vavilov, Chickpea is valued for its nutritive seed composition that is high in protein content and used increasingly as a substitute for animal protein Shrestha et al. There are two distinct types of chickpea: Desi microsperma and Kabuli macrosperma. The two types are distinguished by differences in the shape, size and color of seed Cubero, ; Van der Maesen, ; Muehlbauer and Rajesh, The Kabuli type generally has large rounded seeds that are white or cream in color.
