Evaluation of genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients analysis for yield attributing traits in field pea [Pisum sativum (L.) var. arvense]

An experiment was conducted in randomized complete block with 12 field pea genotypes to study the genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation among the yield contributing traits and their effect on number of seeds per pod of field pea. The phenotypic correlation coefficient (PCV) values were marginally bigger than genotypic correlation coefficient (GCV), revealing tiny sway of environment in character expression. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance and high GCV were observed for length of branch from main axis, number of seeds/plant and weight of 100 seeds indicating the multitude of additive gene action. Selection stranded on these characters will be worthwhile. Results of genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients showed significant positive correlation of stem circumference, number of seeds/plant, number of pods/plant, weight of 100 seeds, number of seeds/pod with each other and other yield attributes. The component characters and path-coefficient analysis revealed positive direct effect of plant height at maturity and number of leaves/plant on the number of seeds/pod. The analysis suggests that the above mentioned parameters were sufficient for direct selection of genotypes for yield attributing characters. However, the high residual effect and relatively moderate level of genetic parameters revealed the requirement of more number of yield attributing parameters under consideration for improvising in crop breeding pipeline of field pea.