Genetic diversity and trait inter-relationship studies in a diverse set of fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes

An attempt was made to evaluate a diverse set of 140 genotypes of fieldpea for seed yield and other related traits. Analysis of variance for all traits revealed that genotypes were significantly different and an ample amount of variability exists for most of the traits studied. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied. Significant positive correlation with seed yield per plant was observed for most of the characters. Seed yield/plant had high and positive direct effects with biological yield/plant and number of pods/plant. Maximum numbers of genotypes were accommodated in cluster IV (30) and minimum in cluster VI & XI (1). Cluster VI & XI had highest mean value for maximum number of characters and the contribution of vegetative characters toward genetic divergence was higher. Based on cluster distance and per se performance, twelve promising genotypes of fieldpea were identified for seed yield and other attributing traits that could be used for improving yield/plant.