Estimation of Genetic Variability for Yield and Maturity Related Traits in Garden Pea (Pisum Sativum) Under Agro-climatic Conditions of Peshawar

Abstract

A study entitled “Estimation of genetic variability for yield and maturity related traits in garden pea (Pisum sativum) under agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar” was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan, on 21st October 2021 to investigate the genetic variation among sixteen pea genotypes for yield and maturity related traits. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among most of the pea genotypes, indicating sufficient variation. The research was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. A total of 15 pea genotypes, along with one commercial variety, “Meteor”, were obtained from the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. The pea genotype Meteor was kept as a control, while other genotypes were maintained as a treatment. All the studied parameters were significantly affected by the pea genotypes, meteor, and the other fifteen genotypes. The pea genotype Meteor exhibited minimum days to emergence (7.5), days to first picking (60.00), and maximum pod diameter (11.62 mm). In contrast, pea genotype 29928 showed maximum green pod yield (9.48 tons ha^-1), hundred green pod weight (531.66 g), and pod length (8.42cm). However, the genotype 29249 produced the highest number of pods per plant (313.3). On the basis of outstanding performance for yield traits, it is concluded that genotypes 29928 and 29249 are recommended for early maturity. Genotype Meteor is advised for Peshawar growers as well as for testing across locations and onward use in the pea breeding program.