Two new traits - open flower and small leaf in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Two new traits – open flower and small leaf in chickpea are discussed. Open flower, a natural mutant in a good agronomic background is reported for the first time, small leaf trait has been reported earlier, and has now been studied by breeders. Both useful traits were found to be monogenic recessive. The joint F₂ segregation data revealed no linkage between flower colour and flower type, but flower type and leaf size showed some linkage. Open flower could contribute to a higher rate of cross pollination and utilization of heterosis. The small leaf allows light to penetrate the crop canopy, and could be useful in designing a physiologically efficient plant type in chickpea. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.