Essential selection criteria for dual uses of red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.)

In plant breeding programs, many traits have been evaluated to increase yield. Many of these require extra effort throughout the observation and selection process, leading to additional time requirements, recording and analysis difficulties. The aim of this study was to determine the most essential traits affecting yield in red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.) plants via correlation, factor and path analyses. A total of 48 genotypes of red pea were grown in both highland and lowland areas of the Mediterranean region in Turkey under rainfed conditions. Biological yield and harvest index were found to be the most important essential selection criteria since these two criteria not only had the highest direct effect on seed yield but also showed strong relationships with yield. To select genotypes with high seed yield or biological yield in red pea, the harvest index should be considered as a common trait for both purposes.