Abstract
<jats:p>The research was conducted in 2024 under the agro-climatic conditions of Southern Kazakhstan in breeding nurseries on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The main objective of the study was to identify and select promising genotypes characterized by high agronomically valuable traits, adaptability to local environmental conditions, and suitability for modern cultivation technologies, including mechanized harvesting. Special attention was given to productivity, earliness, disease resistance, plant architecture, and technological characteristics. A total of 314 chickpea accessions of diverse ecological and geographical origin were studied and subjected to comprehensive breeding evaluation. In the collection nursery, phenological observations were carried out on 100 newly introduced accessions to assess the duration of vegetative and reproductive phases. Based on growth rate and development dynamics, 15 accessions were selected as early- and medium-early maturing forms. Additionally, 50 accessions were identified as resistant to ascochyta blight under natural infection conditions, demonstrating stable field resistance. Detailed evaluation of branching number, plant height, growth habit, and suitability for mechanized harvesting allowed the identification of 10 accessions with a lower pod attachment height exceeding 20 cm, which is considered optimal for direct combine harvesting. During hybridization work, 10 cross combinations were developed, with pod-setting rates ranging from 11.1% to 15.5%, indicating satisfactory cross-compatibility. In the F1–F5 generations, intensive selection resulted in 3 accessions classified as excellent, 5 as good, and 8 as satisfactory according to a комплекс of agronomically valuable traits. In first- and second-year breeding nurseries, promising lines were identified based on yield performance, earliness, plant height, and stability. In control and competitive variety testing nurseries, several accessions significantly outperformed standard varieties in terms of earliness, grain yield, and 1000-seed weight, confirming their potential for further state variety testing and practical cultivation.</jats:p>