ASSESSMENT OF THE GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR VARIOUS AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF PEA (Pisum sativum L.) GENOTYPES

The present study was conducted to study genetic variability and association among agronomic characters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes. The field experiment was conducted using ten genotypes at College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Dhaka, Bangladesh during the Rabi season (November 2020 to March 2021). Treatments were using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among the tested genotypes were observed. The results obtained revealed that the mean squares of the genotypes (G6) were best for 50% flowering (50.38), days to maturity (122.08) and fresh pod shelling percentage (65.29%). Genotype (G2) had highest plant height (142.08 cm), pods plant-1(39.96) and seed yield plant-1 (52.04 gm). G9 had maximum 100-seed fresh (43.90 gm) and dry (21.29 gm) weight. Genotype (G5) had best primary branches plant-1 whereas G8 had maximum pod length (8.86 cm) and seeds pod-1 (6.26). The estimates of heritability and genetic advance were high for days to 50% flowering (0.99, 35.38%), plant height (0.95, 46.88%) and seed yield plant-1 (0.97, 62.47%). High heritability with moderate genetic advance were observed for days to 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 exhibited by seed yield plant-1 with plant height (rp = 0.64), days to 50% flowering (rp= 0.63), days to maturity (rp = 0.78), pods plant-1 (rp = 0.72), pod length (rp = 0.66), fresh pod shelling percentage (rp = 0.64), 100-seed fresh weight (rp = 0.65) and 100-seed dry weight (rp = 0.62). Significant and positive genotypic coefficient of correlation was exhibited by seed yield plant-1 with plant height (rg= 0.81), days to maturity (rg= 0.70) and pods plant-1 (rg= 0.84). Among tested genotypes G6, G2, G9 and G5 performed better, therefore could be used in future breeding programs. These traits best contributing to yield variation that emphasis by breeders for future yield improvement of the crop. It can be conclude that pea yield can be successfully improved by studying genetic variability and its agronomic characters.