Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis in Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Thirty-five genotypes of indigenous and exotic origin were grown over eight environments to study the genetic
variability, correlation and path coefficients among thirteen quantitative characters in pea (Pisulll sativulll L.). Wide
range of variability was observed for most of the characters under study. Significant differences in the magnitude
of PCV and corresponding GCV were observed for branches per plant, pods per plant, seed yield and harvest index
suggesting greater role of environment in the expression of these traits. Plant height, grain yield per plant, dry
matter yield, 100-seed weight and number of pods per plant had high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of
variations coupled with moderate to high estimates of heritability and expected genetic advances. Seed yield showed
positive and significant association with number of pods per node. Secd yield was negatively associated with days
to 50% flowering, days to green pod picking and days to maturity. Path coefficient analysis revealed that yield
per plant is directly affected by number of pods per plant, dry mattcr yield, pod length, harvest indcx and number
of seeds per pod and thus it may be treated as sclection criteria for isolating higher yielding genotypes in pea.