Assessment of adaptability in genetically diverse chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.) based on different physio-morphological standards under ascochyta blight inoculation

Globally biotic stresses are the major environmental destructive elements in crop plants and are major threats to adaptability of any crop. Ascochyta blight is responsible for massive losses in quality and quantity of chickpea crop. Chickpea genotypes collected from different research institutes were evaluated against chickpea blight in screenhouse. Genetic variability among chickpea genotypes was assessed on the basis of ability to adapt under epidemic form of ascochyta blight based on different standards like survival rate (SR), chlorophyll a (Chl-a), chlorophyll b (Chl-b), and ?-carotenoids (BC) contents. Data collected were analyzed by analysis of variance and multivariate analysis (Biplot analysis). Significantly different levels of adaptability were noted in inoculated set of experiment which reflected the genetic differences, opportunity for selection and chances of improvement in genotypes. Comparatively adapted / resistant chickpea genotypes (CM-98, 1848, 6003, and 7050) showed little reduction in values of evaluating standards. Whereas, comparatively greater reduction in moderately resistant (1818, 6255, 6015 and 6028), moderately susceptible (7020, 7056, 810, 1019 and 4025) and poorly adapted / susceptible genotypes (1205 and 3022) was evident. The objective of study was to asses the extent of variability among chickpea genotypes regarding adaptability to ascochyta blight, mechanism of adaptability, to identify adapted / resistant sources and its utilization for further breeding program.