Chemical Science Review and Letters ISSN 2278-6783 Chem Sci Rev Lett 2017, 6(21), 555-560 Article CS072048035 555 Research Article Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis in Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Genotypes Under Western Himalayan Conditions Shilpa Devi 1 *, Manish Kumar 2 , Kuldeep Thakur 3 , N K Bharat 2 , R K Dogra 4 , and Arvind Nagar 1 1 Division of Vegetable Science, ICAR-IARI, Pusa -110012 New Delhi, India 2 Department of Seed Science & Technology, Dr YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan- 173230, HP, India 3 Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan- 173230, HP, India 4 Department of Fruit Science, Dr YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan- 173230, HP, India Introduction Pea is a member of Fabaceae family, placed under genus Pisum (2n=2x=14) and comprises both the wild (P. fulvum and P. elatius) and cultivated species (P. abyssinicum, P. sativum). It is predominantly a self pollinated, annual herb having climbing or bush type growth habit. It is an important cash crop in the hilly regions of western Himalayas especially for the growers of Himachal Pradesh having acreage of 23.67 thousand hectares with annual production of 280.23 thousand metric tonnes [1]. Peas from hilly areas are available at a time when it can’t be grown in plains of adjoining states due to higher temperature; have high consumer preference because of their characteristic flavour, sweetness, freshness and good quality. Beside its high economic importance productivity per unit area is still low which is more prevalent and common in offseason production. Amongst major constraints, lack of varieties with high and stable productivity, losses from several biotic factors are common. Hence, there is a need to explore genetic variability which is considered as an important factor for crop improvement program for obtaining high yielding progenies [2]. An insight into the magnitude of variability present in a crop is provided through coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic gain. Selection for yield and quality traits can be achieved to best possible extent if information about correlation between such traits is available followed by better understanding of the association between the relevant characters provided by path coefficient analysis. Information about association of various component traits with yield and among each other is of immense importance as unfavourable association between the desirable attributes under selection may result in genetic slippage and limit the genetic advance. Yield being the end product of many correlated characters, the selection of such characters which are highly heritable and positively correlated is more desirable. Being a offseason crop for growers in western Himalayan region there is a dire need to plan research work for identification of genotypes which can adapt well and can mature earlier to catch early market. Keeping in view this study aimed at studying genetic variability and character association of some traits in pea ( Pisum sativum L.) genotypes which may help to select suitable genotypes for future breeding programs. Abstract Forty three diverse pea genotypes were evaluated for their genetic variability attributes under mid hills of western Himalayas during Rabi 2014-15. Mean performance of five genotypes, viz., 14/PEVAR-6, 14/PMVAR-3, 14/PEVAR-2, 14/PMVAR-1 and EC-598628 was observed to be better over other genotypes. 14/PEVAR-6 was recorded as earliest maturing cultivar taking 32.67 days to reach marketable maturity stage. High PCV, GCV (>30%) estimates for days to fifty per cent flowering, days to marketable maturity and total soluble solids revealed that sufficient variability is present among the genotypes. High heritability (>80%) coupled with high to moderate genetic gain was observed for days to fifty per cent flowering, days to marketable maturity and 100-pod weight indicating prominent role of additive gene effects. Pod length (2.047cm) had shown maximum positive direct effect on pod yield per plot followed by number of pods per plant (1.717), number of seeds per pod (1.618), harvest duration, 100-pod weight, TSS and pod width. Keywords: Diverse, Genotype, Heritability, Variability *Correspondence Author: Shilpa Devi Email: shilpa04911@gmail.com