COMBINING ABILITIES FOR GRAIN YIELD AND LEAF CHARACTERS IN PEA PARENTS AND CROSSES

Abstract

The crosses by line x tester (12 cross combination) between Sprinter, Bolero, Manuel and Carina (line) and B₁, B₆ and B₁₂ line (tester) were made in 2000 growing season. The F₁ hybrids together with the parents were evaluated during 2003-2004 growing seasons at the Konya ecological conditions. In the research, grain yield, leaf area, leaf length, leaflet area, leaflet length, leaflet width, leaflets per leaf and tendril length were measured, counted, weighted in all parents and F₁ hybrids. The general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), narrow sense heritability and the correlation of parent and F₁ hybrids were calculated by using the line x tester method. Broad genetic variability was observed among the parents and hybrids. The ratio of GCA and SCA indicated the predominance of non-additive genes in pea. While Sprinter, Manuel and B₆ were best general combiners among the parents, Sprinter x B₁₂ and Carina x B₁ were the best crosses for grain yield. An estimate of heritability (narrow sense) was low due to the major role of environmental factors in expression of grain yield and leaf characters in pea. Correlation studies showed that the grain yield was significant positive correlated with leaf area and leaflets per leaf. The highest direct effect was exhibited by leaf area, indirect effects, especially through the leaflets per leaf in pea.