GENETIC VARIABILITY, HERITABILITY AND PATH ANALYSIS IN FIELD PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.)

The present study was conducted to determine appropriate selection criteria in field pea breeding material under Mediterranean conditions. The experimental material was 14 lines obtained with selection by us from populations provided ICARDA and 6 registered pea cultivars. The experiment was organized in randomized blocks design with three replications. Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and path coefficient analysis were estimated for some quantative traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height and 100-seed weight and seeds number per plant. The highest positive direct effect on seed yield was observed for 100-seed weight followed by seeds per plant and pods per plant. Days to flowering, plant height and harvest index had a great indirect positive effect on seed yield per plant through 100-seed weight and seeds number per plant. 100-seed weight and seeds number can be used as a selection criteria for improving seed yield per plant in field pea breeding material.