Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in garden pea (Pisum sativum L. var. hortense) genotypes

The field experiment was conducted in the Rabi season of 2023-24 at the Vegetable Reseach Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya (U.P), by using 24 diverse genotypes of garden pea (Pisum sativum L. var. hortense). The experiment was organized using a randomized block design with three replications. All sixteen traits exhibited notable differences from genotype to genotype, indicating considerable genetic variation. Nonetheless, characteristics such as total soluble solids (TSS), seeds per pod, plant height and the first flower-producing node exhibited high GCV and PCV with slight variations, showing robust genetic regulation. The environmental impact was signaled by the finding that phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) often surpassed genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV). TSS (98.96%, 47.25%), reducing sugars (99.09%, 23.62%), average pod weight, plant height and seeds per pod all exhibited high heritability and significant genetic gain, implying additive gene action and potential for enhancement through direct selection. Pod yield showed the influence of both genetic and environmental factors, demonstrating moderate heritability (65.60%) and genetic improvement (12.51%). For upcoming breeding programs, the genotypes NDVP-21, NDVP-14, NDVP-13, NDVP-23 and NDVP-18 are recommended because of their outstanding yield and quality characteristics.