New chickpea varieties in Ethiopia promise higher yields and better nutrition
The researchers studied different chickpea varieties in Western Ethiopia to understand their genetic variability and potential for improvement. They found significant differences among the varieties for grain yield and other traits, indicating a wide range of genetic diversity. Traits like seed weight, number of pods per plant, and grain yield showed high heritability and genetic advance, making them easier to improve through selection. This suggests that chickpea breeding programs can focus on these traits to enhance crop productivity in the region.