Developments in the molecular basis of heterosis to evaluate the quality and yield production of F1 garden peas using novel genetic resources

Abstract

Abstract The utilization of novel germplasm in hybridization programs presents a valuable opportunity for crop breeders to explore the potential of heterosis in key agronomic traits. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of heterosis for maturity and yield characteristics by employing new pea accessions in hybridization. The experimental material consisted of 51 F1 pea hybrids obtained through crossbreeding of parents in all possible combinations. The F1 cross UAP-47×UAP-29 demonstrated the highest metrics for seeds per pod (12.3), 100-green seed weight (g), 100-green pod weight (g), and green pod yield (tons ha− 1). Similarly, the F1 hybrids Green Gold×UAP-47 and UAP-29×UAP-47 exhibited the greatest pod length (cm) and pods per plant (66.0), respectively. The most noteworthy negative better-parent heterosis (-30.9%) for days to first picking was evident in the UAP-29×Leena Pak cross. Meanwhile, the F1 cross UAP-7×UAP-35 showcased the highest positive better-parent heterosis (%) for pods per plant. UAP-29×UAP-47 displayed the highest better-parent heterosis (%) for pod length. The F1 hybrid Leena Pak×UAP-31 exhibited significantly better parent heterosis (%) for seeds per pod. Similarly, the cross UAP-32×UAP-7 displayed remarkably better parent heterosis (%) for 100-green seed weight. For 100-green pod weight, the Leena Pak×UAP-31 cross demonstrated the highest better-parent heterosis (%). The cross combination UAP-47×UAP-29 showcased the maximum better-parent heterosis for green pod yield (%). The segregating generations from crosses like UAP-29×Leena Pak for early maturity and those such as UAP-29×UAP-47, UAP 47×UAP-29, UAP-7×UAP-35, Leena Pak×UAP-31, and UAP-32×UAP-7 for yield traits could be advanced for the development of early maturing and high-yielding pea cultivars.