GENETIC PARAMETERS AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION IN GARDEN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM l.) CULTIVARS

An experiment was conducted on genetic evaluation of forty-one diverse genotypes of pea including three commercial cultivars (Solan Nirog, Arkel and Arka Ajit) was carried out. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits. The genotypes viz., VRPMR-9, DPP-19, KTP-4, CHPMR-1 DPP-4, CHP-2, K-1 and Solan Nirog performed best in terms of yield and most of horticultural traits and resistance to powdery mildew. The study showed moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation for most of traits except powdery mildew severity (high), shelling percentage and TSS (low). The studt showed high heritability along with moderate genetic gain for nodes to first flower, number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and seed vigour index indicating preponderance of additive effects. This suggests that the selection might be effective in the further improvement of these traits. The pod yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and seed vigour, which suggested the possibilities of improving pod yield per plant by simultaneous improvement of these characters. In path coefficient study, maximum positive direct effect on pod yield was shown by number of pods per plant, followed by number of seeds per pod. While maximum negative direct effect to the tune of was shown by powdery mildew severity.