Variability and association studies in F₃ and F₄ populations of fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.)

Present investigation was taken up with a view to identify characters as an index to model plant architecture. The study was undertaken with two separate sets of materials consisting of thirty-six elite genotypes and F₃ populations of six crosses involving diverse parents and their F₄ generation in the ensuing season. Phenotypic correlations and path coefficient analysis have been used to identify the model plant features. A bird's eye view of the model plant features coming out in the present study suggested that a model plant has to be comparatively tall with more number of primary branches and higher number of pods per plant. The pods have to be longer with more number of comparatively bolder seeds. Since leafiness was found to be associated positively with seed yield, comparatively more leaves per plant will be needed in a model plant. Taller plants may tend to lodge and therefore, a compromise between plant height and number of pods has to be made.