Assessment of Genetic Variability and Performance of Field Pea (Pisum sativum) Advanced Genotypes Across Environments

Gebeyaw Achenef *

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Kulumsa Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Temesgen Abo

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Kulumsa Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Gizachew Yilma

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Kulumsa Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Deressa Tesfaye

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Kulumsa Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Nigat Tilahun

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holeta Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Kedir Yimam

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Kulumsa Research Centers, Ethiopia.

Alehegn Workie

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, DebreMarkos Research Centers, Ethiopia.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) belong to the Leguminosae family. The crop provides valuable and accessible protein, complementing cereals and providing valuable food and feed to many poor people. The foundation of plant breeding lies in genetic variability, which is generated by the genetic differences among individuals within a population. This variability is essential for developing new crop varieties and improving traits. Therefore, this experiment was conducted at Bekoji and Debre Markos research sites. It consisted of 35 advanced field pea genotypes evaluated under rain fed conditions during the 2023 cropping season utilizing α-lattice design with two replications. The study aims to identify patterns of genetic variation through morpho-agronomic assessments, offering valuable insights for future breeding programs. The analyses of variance for all traits studied indicated significant differences (P < 0.001) between testing locations. The traits of grain yield and plant height showed significant differences at (P < 0.01). Most traits, except for days to flowering, including grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, days to maturity, and ascochyta blight, did not show significant differences due to genotype × environment interaction. The study examined variability, heritability, genetic advance, and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for all the characters under investigation. Selection based on highly heritable traits often leads to more successful outcomes. By using heritability along with other variability measures, we can predict gains under specific selection intensities, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of crop improvement. The number of pods per plant and seeds per pod also demonstrated moderate genetic advances, making them important selection criteria. In contrast, plant height exhibited low heritability (H2b) values and a low genetic advance. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was generally higher than the genetic coefficient of variation for most of the traits, indicating substantial environmental influences on genetic expression. The findings also indicate that a narrow base population will not generate wide genetic variation for crop improvement. This lack of diversity can limit the potential for developing new varieties and enhancing desirable traits in plants, emphasizing the importance of a broader genetic base in breeding programs.

Keywords: Genetic advance, genotype, heritability, traits, variability


How to Cite

Achenef, G., Abo, T., Yilma, G., Tesfaye, D., Tilahun, N., Yimam, K., & Workie, A. (2025). Assessment of Genetic Variability and Performance of Field Pea (Pisum sativum) Advanced Genotypes Across Environments. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, 8(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.56557/ajaas/2025/v8i151

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