Evaluation of variations in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield and yield components by multivariate technique

To estimate the extent of genetic diversity of 25 chickpea genotypes, an experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with four replications at Brojerd Agricultural Research Station during two seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The first three principal components (PCs) explained 69.69% variation. Four groups of characters were distinguished in regard to first (PC1) and second (PC2) principal components. Factor analysis indicated that three main factors accounted 69.69% of the total variability. Three first factors accounted for 33.69%, 20.82% and 15.19% of total variability, respectively and the terms proposed for factors were 'phenological traits', 'morphological traits' and 'yield components'. Communalities indicated that studied traits were reliable and ranged from 0.537 (canopy height) to 0.881 (seed yield). Two-dimensional ordination biplot indicated positive correlation between seed yield, pods per plant, canopy width, harvest index and biological yield. Cluster analysis grouped 25 genotypes into two main groups and four clusters. At a distance of 5, the 11 traits examined formed into two clusters. These findings can be used in breeding strategies for future hybridization programs for yield improvement and are appropriate for classification of diversity among chickpea germplasm.