Genetic Relationships and Diversity among Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Genotypes Assessed using Agro-Morphological and Molecular Markers

Abstract

Fifteen pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes were evaluated for their agro-morphological performance and molecular diversity during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. Combined analysis of variance revealed that there are highly significant differences among pea genotypes tested for all agro-morphological traits studied. The phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) values were relatively greater than Genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all traits; however, GCV values were near to PCV values for the traits, like plant height, pods/plant, 100 seeds weight and pod width. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was obtained for, plant height, reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of this trait. High to moderate heritability coupled with moderate genetic gain were exhibited for number of pods per plant, 100 seeds weight, pod length, seeds per pod, pod weight and number of branches per plant. The Euclidean Distance among all genotypes based on agro-morphological traits was relatively wide. ISSR and SRAP markers were used to study the molecular diversity among pea genotypes. The molecular marker parameters revealed that SRAP markers were more efficient than ISSR markers with regards to polymorphism detection and in distinction among pea genotypes. Also, both ISSR and SRAP markers were able to amplify unique bands specific to a particular genotype.  A positive and significant correlation (r=0.389: p ≤ 0.001) between ISSR and SRAP matrix was observed according to Mantel's test. Also, significant correlation (r = 0.411: p ≤ 0.001) between the matrices of combined molecular markers data and agro-morphological data.