Assessment of genetic variability, genetic advance and correlation coefficient in quantitative traits of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) Genotypes

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an economically valuable pulse crop grown around the globe for its protein rich seed and other soil restorative purposes. Improvements in genetic diversity are obligatory in order to develop crop cultivars with desirable traits including resistance to stresses, higher yields or improved nutritive value. Therefore, the present research study was designed to examine genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation coefficient for yield and yield related traits in ten pea genotypes at Tarnab-Peshawar, during cropping season 2016-2017. Highly significant (p <= 0.01) differences among the tested genotypes were observed. Genotype Sultan flowered earlier (50.38), matured earlier (122.08) and had maximum fresh pod shelling percentage (65.29%). Genotype PL-4 produces taller plants (142.08 cm), more pods plant(-1) (39.96) and produced maximum yield plant(-1) (52.04 g). Anmol had maximum 100-seed fresh (43.90 g) and dry (21.29 g) weight. Genotype Adventa selection produced maximum primary branches plant(-1) (4.0) lengthy pods (8.86 cm) and maximum number of seeds pod(-1) (6.26). The estimates of heritability and genetic advance were high for flowering (0.99%, 35.38%), plant height (0.95%, 46.88%) and seed yield (0.97%, 62.47%). High heritability with moderate genetic advance were observed for maturity (0.97%, 20.20%), pod length (0.95%, 15.37%), fresh pod shelling percentage (0.82%, 21.58%), 100-seed fresh (0.90%, 29.52%) and dry weight (0.93%, 22.68%). Significant and positive phenotypic coefficient of correlation was also exhibited for seed yield plant(-1) with plant height (r(p) = 0.64), days to flowering (r(p) = 0.63), maturity (r(p) = 0.78), pods plant(-1) (r(p) = 0.72), pod length (r(p) = 0.66), fresh pod shelling percentage (r(p) = 0.64), 100-seed fresh weight (r(p) = 0.65) and 100-seed dry weight (r(p) = 0.62). Significant and positive genotypic coefficient of correlation was exhibited for seed yield plant(-1) with plant height (r(g) = 0.81), days to maturity (r(g) = 0.70) and pods plant(-1) (r(g) = 0.84). Among tested genotypes Sultan, PL-4, Anmol and Adventa selection performed better for representing earlier flowers, taller plants, more pods plant(-1), higher yield plant(-1), 100-seed dry and fresh weight, more branches plant(-1) and lengthy pods.