FASCIATION IN CHICKPEA - GENETICS AND EVALUATION

A spontaneous fasciated mutant was detected in the chickpea cv. Amethy st. It was characterised by broad, strap-like stems, irregular leaf ar rangement and clustering of pods towards the stem apices. F2 and F3 se gregations showed that fasciation was controlled by a single, recessiv e gene for which the symbol fas is proposed. Field trials comparing th e fasciated mutant with its non-fasciated isoline showed that fasciati on was associated with lower yield, larger seeds, delayed flowering an d increased lodging.