HERITABLE VARIATION AND CORRELATION BETWEEN SEED SIZE, STARCH CONTENTAND ITS COMPOSITION IN CHICKPEA

A study was undertaken to estimate correlation coefficient between see d size, starch content and its composition together with the estimatio n of genetic variability in a range of chickpea genotypes. Among the 1 5 chickpea genotypes of diverse origin analyzed highly significant dif ferences which ranged from 191 mg to 496 mg were found for weight per seed. Relatively small differences from 38-45% of seed dry weight were found for total starch whereas values for amylose and amylopectin per centage of starch vaned from 32-42% and 58-68% respectively. Within ge notype variation for starch content and amylose percentage was insigni ficant which could be due to experimental error. However, there were c onsiderable differences within genotype for seed size in almost all th e lines. The correlation between seed size and starch content and comp osition was negligible although positive and there was no association between starch Percentage and amylose percentage of starch.