Genetic Divergence, Variability and Association Analysis for Seed Yield and its Contributing Traits in Selected Germplasm of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Background: Pea seeds are considered as a nutritional powerhouse because they are rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Methods: The material of this study consisted of 28 genotypes Experiment was conducted during Rabi season (2021-2022) at 24.47° to 26.56°N latitude and 82.12° to 83.98°E longitude at an altitude of 113 m above from sea level. Result: An increasing H2b and genetic advance mean percent (GAM) were observed in primary branches per plant (PBP) ,plant height (PH) , pods per plant (PP), seed per pod (SP), 100-seed weight (SW), biological yield per plant (BYP), harvest index (HI) and seed per plant. This indicates these traits are governed by additive gene action. Seed yield per plant SYP has positive and significant correlation with PBP, PH, PP, SP, SW, BYP and HI at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Positive direct effect on SYP was exhibited by BYP, HI, PBP and DFF (day to 50% flowering) at both genotypic and phenotypic level of path. The 28 genotypes were grouped into six different clusters. The highest number of genotypes appeared in cluster II and III. The highest intra-cluster distance was found for cluster I (277.296) followed by cluster II and III and the lowest intra-cluster distance was found for cluster IV. The genotype of cluster II was early flowering followed by cluster I. Cluster I recorded highest cluster mean for SYP, while the lowest cluster mean was recorded in cluster VI Diverse clusters could be used for further improvement in heterosis in yield targeted traits with creation of wider variability.