Assessment of genetic diversity in advanced breeding lines derived from intraspecific crosses of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.)

An intraspecific hybrid breeding program involving six crosses, Palam Sumool (PS) × Palam Priya, PS × Pb-89, PS × Azad P-1, PS × Palam Triloki and VRPMR10 × Sugar Giant, Green Pearl × DPP-9411 was initiated in 2006 onwards followed by pedigree selection, resulted in isolation of 45 genotypes with desirable attributes. These progenies along with five recommended varieties were evaluated during 2014–15 to assess degree of divergence. A considerable genetic diversity was observed among genotypes, dispersed in 18 diverse clusters. Of these, 17 were monogenotypic while cluster I had maximum genotypes. Internodal length contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence followed by nodes per plant, protein content and average pod weight. Superior performing genotypes viz., ‘DPP-2011-SP-7’, ‘DPP-2011-SP-17’, and ‘DPP-2011-SP-24’ from cluster I and ‘DPP-2011-SP-6’, ‘DPP-2011-SP-22’ ‘DPPMR-09-1’, ‘DPPMR-09-2’, ‘DPP-2011-SN-5’ and ‘Palam Triloki’ from monogenotypic clusters offer promise for their direct use as varieties and as potential parents in future breeding programmes.