Boora, K.S.Summy2017-06-032017-06-032015http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810014845The present investigation on studies on Marker assisted selection in advanced segregating lines for drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was conducted with the objective to validate QTL(s) for drought tolerance in HC-1(sensitive) and ICC4958 (tolerant) parental genotypes, to screen F4 and F5 progeny for presence of major QTL(s) for drought tolerance in chickpea and to evaluate both generations for yield and its component traits under drought. Fifty markers linked to QTLs scattered over all the eight chromosomes for drought tolerance in chickpea were used for validation of QTLs in the parents HC-1 and ICC4958. . Out of 50 QTLs, 20 QTLs distributed on six chromosomes were present in drought tolerant parent ICC4958. These markers were used for screening of QTLs in F4 and F5 progeny from cross HC1×ICC4958 of chickpea. Highest yielding F4 progeny lines G19, G20, G45, G42 and G6 had five common QTLs i.e. TAA170, TR24, TA118, NCPGR138 and TA180. Highest No. of pods/plant F5 progeny lines G14, G16, G17, G32, G101 and G115 had five common QTLs i.e. ICCM0249, TR24, NCPGR200, NCPGR138, and STMS11. Eight QTLs having maximum effect on drought tolerant traits are scattered on different chromosomes. One QTL (TR24) on chromosome No. 3, three QTLs (TAA170, ICCM0249, STMS11) on chromosome No. 4, one QTL (NCPGR200) on chromosome No. 6, one QTL (TA180) on chromosome No. 7 and two QTLs (TA118, NCPGR138) on chromosome No. 8. Majority of promising progeny lines had more than 10 QTLs linked to drought tolerance. Promising progeny lines also showed morpho-physiological traits similar/better to drought tolerant parent. Phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis of both generations showed significant correlation between morpho-physiological and yield related traits. Marker assisted selection was successfully utilized to introgress major drought tolerant QTLs in chickpea genotypes derived from cross HC-1×ICC4958. These genotypes (G6, G19, G20, G40, G42, G45 and G55) shall to be further evaluated in next generation for their yield attributes under normal and drought stress conditions.enweather hazards, irrigation, yields, tolerance, vegetative propagation, genotypes, chickpeas, sowing, developmental stages, drought stressThesis