Response to selection and early generation evaluation in pea

The response to selectionwas estimated in F₃, F₄ and Fs generationsfrom the plants selected in F₂ and F₃ generations of the cross HPPC 63 X Lincoln. The response to selection and realised heritability increased in the successive generations. The plants selected in F₂ generation did not show any correlation with their progenies in F₃ and F₄ generations for all the traits except resistance to powdery mildew disease which showed consistancy in subsequent generations also. However, the plants selected in F₃ generation showed positive correlation with their progenies in F₄ and F₅ generations for seed yield, pods/plant, 100-seed weight, harvest index, and reaction to powdery mildew. Maximum response was observed in F₅ generation when selection was practised in F₃ generation. The study, therefore, revealed that selection for polygenic traits like seed yield should preferably be done after F₂ generation. However, selection for monogenic or oligogenic traits like resistance to powdery mildew can be practised in F₂ generation itself.