Genetic Variability and Association of Quality Characters and Pod Yield in Garden Peas (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Ten garden pea landraces in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications over 2 winter seasons 2011 - 2012 and 2012 - 2013 were evaluated at the experimental field of Dara'a Center of Scientific Agricultural Research, GCSAR, Syria. The study showed high heritability (H) with high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and genetic gain as percent of mean (GA %) for vitamin C, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, total carotenoids and pod yield plant-1 indicating good scope for selection. The genotypic (rg) and phenotypic associations (rph) of pod yield plant-1 were significantly positive with protein content, fiber content and total carotenoids but significantly negative with soluble sugars. Path coefficient analysis confirmed that protein content and total soluble solids registered positive direct effects on pod yield plant-1 and negative indirect effects through each other. Protein content should be considered independently or in combination with total soluble solids and chlorophyll A while imposing selection for amelioration of quality and yield in garden peas. doi:10.14456/WJST.2015.21

Keywords

• Chlorophyll A
• garden pea seeds
• gene effects
• protein
• vitamin C