Yield Trait and Stability of Chickpea Genotypes for Intensification of Drought-Prone Rice Fallows of South Asia

There is a need for increasing cropping intensity in South Asia including India to ensure food security of burgeoning population. Accordingly, increasing cropping intensity in rainfed rice fallows can be a futuristic strategy. Identification of suitable cultivar and exploration of genetic variability of specific crops/traits are imperative for genetic improvement, drought resistance and yield gain in rice fallows. We evaluated the morphophysiological, yield traits and stability of 15 chickpea genotypes in randomised complete block design for three consecutive years on a drought-prone rainfed condition of Fluvisol in Kanpur, India. Among genotypes, ‘IPC 2014-55’, ‘IPC 2015-44’ and ‘IPC 2011-92’ had 2%–10% higher relative water content (RWC) over ‘ICC-92944’ (check cultivar). These genotypes did not differ for total chlorophyll content, root dry weight and nodule dry weight with ‘ICC-92944’ and ‘KWR 108’ (wider adaptable cultivar of the region). The nitrogen balance index was higher in ‘IPC 2011-92’, ‘IPC 2014-88’ and ‘IPC 2014-55’ by 5%–44% over check cultivar (p < 0.05). The membrane stability index was higher for ‘IPC 2014-55’ (30%, p < 0.05) and ‘IPC 2011-92’ (17%, p < 0.05) than ‘ICC-92944’. ‘IPC 2011-92’, ‘IPC 2014-88’ and ‘IPC 2014-55’ (3 years mean) had 3%–24% higher plant dry weight than ‘ICC-92944’. Notably, ‘IPC 2014-55’, ‘IPC 2015-44’, ‘IPC 2014-88’ and ‘IPC 2011-92’ had higher yield attributes such as pods plant⁻¹ by 9%, grain weight plant⁻¹ by 13% and 100-seed weight by 3% than ‘ICC-92944’ and ‘KWR 108’ (mean of years). These genotypes had higher mean seed yield than ‘ICC-92944’ by 23%–42% and ‘KWR 108’ by 7%–23% (p < 0.05). The yield of ‘IPC 2014-55’, ‘IPC 2015-44’, ‘IPC 2014-88’ and ‘IPC 2011-92’ were stable over years across variable soil and environmental condition as indicated by the genotype × year biplot. Membrane stability index, pods plant⁻¹ and 100-seed weight were the determinants for increased seed yield of chickpea under drought-prone condition. Evidently, genotype ‘IPC 2014-55’, ‘IPC 2015-44’, ‘IPC 2014-88’ and ‘IPC 2011-92’ were better under rainfed rice fallows. These genotypes could be tested under specific drought condition for developing varieties and promoted in rice fallows of South Asia for yield advantage and drought resistance.