Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis studies in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.)

In a study conducted at Vegetables Research Institute. AARI, Faisalabad. Pakistan during 2005-06, 12 pea genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The objective was to ascertain genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient of different traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for days to emergence, days to 50 percent flowering, number of pods per plant, weight of pods per plant (g), pod length (cm), number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight (g) and green pod yield (kg/plot). Green pod yield per plot, 100-seed weight, number of pods per plant and weight of pods per plant showed high GCV accompanied with high heritability and genetic advance indicating good scope for selection. The correlation studies revealed that in general, estimates of genotypic correlation coefficient were higher than corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient. Green pod yield per plot showed positive and significant correlation with number of seeds per pod and weight of pods per plant at genotypic and phenotypic levels. A strong association was observed between pod length and number of seeds per pod. The results suggested that these traits could be considered as major green pod yield contributing characters in garden peas. 100-seed weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and days to 50 percent flowering exhibited maximum positive direct effect on green pod yield per plot, respectively. It indicated that these are main contributors towards yield. Based on results expressing character association and path coefficients for yield and its contributing characters, breeders should give attention to the characters like 100-seed weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and days to 50 percent flowering while making selection of high yielding genotypes in garden pea.