PYRAMIDING OF THE RESISTANCE TO FE-DEFICIENCY CHLOROSIS AND LEAF MINER (Liriomyza cicerina ROND.) IN CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) BY MUTATION BREEDING

Considerable yield losses due to iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) may occur when susceptible genotypes are grown in calcareous soils with high pH. The most efficient practical and economical solution to overcome Fe-deficiency chlorosis in chickpea is through the utilization of genetic resistance. In this study, ICC 6119, which is leaf miner [Liriomyza cicerina Rond. (Diptera:Agromyzidae)] resistant but susceptible to Fe-deficiency chlorosis, was irradiated with 200, 300 and 400 Gy gamma rays. Mutated populations were evaluated for resistance to Fe-deficiency chlorosis and leaf miner using a visual scale from M-1 to M-5 generations. In the M-3 generation, one mutant was selected for resistance to Fe-deficiency chlorosis and leaf miner from a single seed descent (SSD) set. Active Fe and chlorophyll content in Fe-efficient mutants were found higher than in the parent genotype ICC 6119. The identified Fe-efficient and leaf miner resistant mutant may be useful in chickpea breeding programs to develop cultivars suitable for a niche environment.