Back to Contents

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PISUM SATIVUM AND A STRATEGY FOR INDIGENOUS BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

ABDUL GHAFOOR * , ZAHOOR AHMAD AND RASHID ANWAR

Abstract: Pisum sativum germplasm collected from Pakistan was evaluated for agronomic traits and analyzed for biodiversity within each district. The differences proved its validity in substantiating the postulated regions of diversity or gene centres. Migration of landraces into new regions, followed by some degree of contamination by mixture or out crossing with other landraces were observed that might be due to frequent exchange of germplasm or transportation of grains from one place to others. The areas with a high level of stress is expected to present tolerance to environmental stresses, but homogeneous mixtures that needs less extensive sampling for genetic resources conservation purposes. The study confirmed the existence of a wealth of phenotypic divergence in the local pea germplasm and identified pure-lines are suggested to be utilized in crop improvement through simple selection or using in hybrid program. The variation appears attributable to different districts without influence that how frequently area was explored. Further collecting missions to main pea areas with greater diversity could concentrate efforts on sampling as many geographically and ecologically distinct areas as possible, rather than collecting extensively from fields close to motorable roads. The germplasm with high mean values along with medium to high genetic variance should be exploited through simple selection.
 

Plant Genetic Resources Program, Institute of Agri Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author: ghafoor59pk@yahoo.com