Genotypic Variation in Plant Height, Branching, and Yield Components of Field Pea: Implications for Crop Improvement

Abstract

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an essential legume crop with significant nutritional value, but its cultivation faces challenges such as reduced light levels and variable yields. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, phenological, and yield parameters of different field pea genotypes to identify high-performing varieties. Experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), the experiment assessed plant height, number of primary branches, flowering and maturity timings, dry matter partitioning, and yield components. Significant differences were observed among genotypes in plant height, branching, and various yield parameters. The genotype IC381455 exhibited superior performance with the highest values for total dry matter, pod yield per plant, seed yield per hectare, and test weight. It also showed higher leaf, stem, and pod dry weights at multiple growth stages. In contrast, Nippani local-2 consistently recorded the lowest values across these parameters. The highest harvest index was recorded for IPF4-9, indicating effective biomass conversion to seed. The results highlight the genetic variability among genotypes and underscore the importance of selecting high-performing varieties to improve yield and crop quality.