PJB-2024-312
Analysis of behaviour and biometry within several local populations of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in an hyper-arid region of South-Western Algeria
RACHIDA ISSOLAH
Abstract
As part of the evaluation, preservation and development of plant genetic resources of food and fodder interest in Algeria, eight local populations of the species Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae) were collected from farmers, in an area of South-Western Algeria, mainly in Adrar. This part of the country is considered to be one of the hottest regions in the world (hyper-arid Saharan zone. Following this survey, a complete randomised block trial, with three (03) replications, was set up at the experimental station (INRAA / Adrar), for two consecutive agricultural campaigns (2018/2019; 2019/2020). Twenty-two (22) morphological, phenological and biometrical characteristics, relating to vegetative development, flowering, pods and seeds, were considered. Ecological factors (rainfall, temperature, altitude), characterising the environments of origin of the different populations were also taken into account. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for most of the studied characteristics. This finding was established for each year, but also for the population x year interaction. Significant variability was recorded for phenological stages linked to vegetative development, flowering and pod formation, as well as for biometrical characteristics relating to production. The correlation matrix revealed several significant correlations between morphological, phenological and biometrical characteristics. In addition, the results of this study revealed the existence of significant relationships between certain phenological characteristics (emergence date and flowering duration) and a single ecological factor (altitude), characterising the origin environments of the different populations. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a wide morpho-phenological and biometrical variability within populations. The earliness, the vegetative development, the grain production per pod, the number of pods and seeds per plant permit to distinguish three (03) and four (04) groups of populations, respectively, over the two seasons. The evaluation of Pisum sativum populations can contribute to the diversification and development of legumes for human and animal consumption. This will enable the development of livestock farming and its products and consequently will improve the living standard of local populations in this desert region of the country.
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