Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity present in twelve Algerian pea genotypes using 24 agro-morphological traits. The experiment was carried out during three growing seasons (2013 to 2014, 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to 2016). ANOVA analysis revealed the presence of a great genetic variability for all characters studied. This diversity might be used in breeding programs. Also, expression of characteristics is highly influenced by the environment. For quantitative traits, correlation studies showed that weight of 100 seeds was significantly and positively correlated with leaflet length. Number of pods per 1 m² has a positive significant correlation with leaflet width. Weight of pods per 1 m² was correlated with three characters: Stipule length, leaflet length and leaflet width. The principal component analysis revealed that three components explained 85.92% of variation. Two groups were noted by dendrogram. The first group (demchi 1, p069, bouch1, p539, p593, p595 and p596) was characterized by a high pod yield; the other group comprises the less productive genotypes (p071, sefrou, p072, p073 and p350). Otherwise, the genotype p593 produced the best results for pods yield.

Key words: Genetic diversity, agro-morphological traits, field pea, Pisum sativum L.