A LANDMARK IN CHICKPEA PRODUCTION FOR FOOD SECURITY: BITTAL-2022, A NEW HIGH YIELDING AND DISEASE RESISTANT CULTIVAR

Abstract

The current study was designed to introduce the new Chickpea cultivar Bittal-2022, an outcome of hybridization (90156 X 05014) followed by pedigree method of selection. This variety was tested in a series of trials on Research Stations throughout the chickpea growing areas of Pakistan. It out-yielded check variety Bittal-2016 in Station and Adaptation yield trials. In National Uniform Yield Trials (NUYT), it surpassed check variety Bittal-2016 and stood 3^rd during 2019-20 whereas in 2020-21, it surpassed check variety by 7%. Its maximum yield potential of 3958 kg/ha was achieved in CYT (Co-operative Yield Trials) during 2018-19 at RARI, Bahawalpur. The cultivar Bittal-2022 produced an overall 10% higher yield than check varieties in different yield trials conducted from 2016-17 to 2020-21. This variety is suitable for mechanical harvesting and exhibited resistance to shattering at maturity. It is moderately resistant against Ascochyta blight & Fusarium wilt and exhibited tolerance against insect pests. In addition, this approved variety needs no special production technology and fit in a better way with the existing agronomic practices. So approved cultivar Bittal-2022 is suitable for both irrigated and rain-fed chickpea cultivated areas of the Punjab province.