Trait Associations in Prostrate and Semi-Leaf Less Type Field Pea (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pisum sativum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Gene Pools

Kedir Yimam Assen

doi:10.11648/j.ajese.20200404.11

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted in 2019 main cropping season at two locations using simple lattice design to evaluate 49 field pea genotypes including nine released varieties for generating information on genotypic and phenotypic association among yield contributing traits and with grain yield, and to study their path analysis on grain yield. Positive and significant genotypic correlation observed between grain yield with plant height (rg=0.67), seeds per pod (rg=0.45), days to maturity (rg=0.41) and pods per plant (rg=0.33) for combined analysis. The association among most of traits demonstrated higher genotypic correlations than corresponding phenotypic correlations that; indicated the prevalence of genetic variation in expression of the traits. Genotypic path analysis also indicated that plant height (0.746) exerted the maximum positive direct effect on grain yield followed by stand count at harvest (0.443), 1000 seed weight (0.372), seeds per pod (0.214), pods per plant (0.213), and days to maturity (0.013). Therefore; selection for traits such as plant height, pods per plant, seeds per pod and days to maturity could improve grain yield in field pea.

Highlights

Pulses are the second most important crops after cereals in the world's crop production
The current study showed that plant height, days to maturity, pods per plant and seeds per pod exhibited highly significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with grain yield for combined analysis
The magnitudes of phenotypic correlation coefficients were higher than their corresponding genotypic correlation coefficients suggesting the importance of environmental effects

Summary

Introduction

Pulses are the second most important crops after cereals in the world's crop production. Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is one of the most widely grown pulse crop in the world with annual production of 16205448 tonnes [8]. In Ethiopia, field pea stands fourth next to faba bean, haricot bean and chickpea among pulse crops in total production and areas coverage [6]. It is grown on 220,508.39 hectares of land with total production of 368,519.065 tonnes and productivity of 1.671 t/ha; which accounts 13.79% from pulses total area coverage and 12.37% from total production in Ethiopia. It is widely cultivated in potential mid and high altitude areas of the country at elevations of 1800-3000 m with 700-1100 mm annual rainfall

Methods

Results

Conclusion