INHERITANCE OF IN-VITRO CALLUS PRODUCTION IN CHICKPEA

Abstract

Seven genotypes were randomly taken among accessions of Cabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Iran which were previously characterized as being able to initiate callus. The cultivars were crossed to generate a seven-parent diallel set, with reciprocals; and the progenies were evaluated for callus production. Significant differences (p<0.01) were found among crosses and for general combining ability (GCA) effects. However Specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effect were found to be nonsignificant (p >0. 05). Estimate of heritability (h²) for callus production on plot mean basis was 60 %. Since, heritability was relatively high, and no reciprocal effects were detected, breeding strategies using any selection methods including recurrent selection should result in the development of high in-vitro callus producing populations.