Inheritance and stability studies of multi–flowering trait in vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L.), and its contribution in yield improvement

Abstract

Multi–flowering (MF) is considered a rare trait in vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L.), and detailed studies about its inheritance in different background or stability across season and location is not yet thoroughly investigated. In this study, nine cross combinations were studied, involving five parental genotypes forming 01 to 05 flowers per peduncle (FPP). The F2 progenies of two cross combinations viz., [VRP–386 (2FPP) × VRP–500 (3FPP)] and [VRP–386 (2FPP) × VRPM–501 (3FPP)] showed 13:3 (2FPP:MF) segregation or inhibitory gene action regulating the MF trait. Whereas, in other three cross combinations viz., [VRPSel–17(1FPP) × VRPM–501(3FPP)], [VRPSel–17(1FPP) × VRPM–901–5(5FPP)] and [VRP–500(3FPP) × VRPSel–17(1FPP)], the F2 plants segregated in 12:3:1 (2FPP:1FPP:MF) ratio, showing presence of dominant epistasis. Further, the frequency of 3FPP varied from 3.89% to 19.76% in different parental genotypes. When studied together, the inheritance of flower colour and number of FPP showed an independent assortment in F2 generation. The stability analysis was performed to identify the most stable MF genotype and AMMI analysis of variance for pod yield showed significant environment, genotype, and G × E interactions (p = 0.0001). The higher Principal Component (PC1 and PC2) scores of the MF genotype VRPM–901–5 (G8) showed its better yield potential (mean yield 176.22 q/ha) and stability. Further, the MF genotype VRPM–901–5 (G8) yielded nearly 3-times and 1.5-times more than the 1FPP [VRPSel–17 (G1)] and the 2FPP cultivars [PC-531 (G2) and VL-8 (G3)], respectively. Thus, these MF genotypes are the potential parents to increase the number of FPP, and also to boost the yield of vegetable pea.