Comparison of transgressive segregationsand criteria in reciprocal interspecific crosses between cicer arietinum and cicer reticulatum

Wild Cicer species were considered to be more resistance for biotic and abiotic stresses than that of the cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Alien genes can be transferred from wild Cicer species to the cultivated chickpeas but successes in interspecific hybridizations has already been achieved only by two species namely C. reticulatum Ladiz. and C. echinospermum P.H. Davis. In the current study, we aimed at comprising of yeid criteria and transgressive segragations in reciprocal interspecific populations derived from hybridizations between C. arietinum L. (CA 2969) and C. reticulatum (AWC 613) using F1, F2 and F3 generations. In F2 and F3, heterosis for superior progeny was estimated. In F3 population, descriptive statistics, transgrassive segregations, correlation and path analyses, narrow sense heritability for yield and yield criteria were studied as comparison. The following results were outcome from the current study: (i) The cultivated chickpea should be advised as female parent in interspecific hybridization. (ii) Considerable heterosis for superior progeny was found for number of seeds and pods per plant, biological and seed yields in both reciprocal F2 and F3 populations. (iii) Maximum values of some traits in progeny were found to be higher than those of parental genotypes. (iv) Genetic gain could be possible since there were considerable variation among selection criteria. (v) Number of seeds and pods per plant and biological yield had the highest direct effect on seed yield in both of crosses. (vi) The narrow sense heritability was found to be the highest for 100-seed weight since the trait cannot be affected from environmental fluctuations. (vii) Considerable fruitful segregations were detected in both of reciprocal interspecific crosses. In conclusion, interspecific hybridization can be suggested to improve yield and yield criteria and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well.