Genetics of flowering time in chickpea in a semi-arid environment

P>Time of flowering is an important component of adaptation and productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in semi-arid environments characterized by terminal drought and heat stress. Genetics of flowering time was studied in late x early, early x late and early x early crosses under field conditions to obtain additional information on the number of genes involved and their allelic relationships. Results have shown that duplicate dominant genes with cumulative but unequal effect govern flowering time in chickpea. A genotype with two dominant alleles in homozygous or heterozygous conditions at both loci (Efl1,Efl2) control late flowering (41 days and above). A genotype with a dominant allele in homozygous or heterozygous condition at one of the loci and homozygous recessive allele at the other (Efl1,efl2) control earliness (26-40 days) and a genotype with homozygous recessive alleles at both loci (efl1,efl2) is responsible for super-earliness (< 25 days). Influence of maternal genetic factors on the inheritance of flowering time was non-significant in chickpea.