Abstract

The current study was carried out to find the better performing and widely adapted lines of pea (Pisum sativum L.) using multi-location trials at four diverse locations spanning central, northern, and southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 103 genotypes were collected from the gene pool of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and the Vegetable Research Institute, Faisalabad including commonly commercially cultivated varieties. This research focused on selecting pea genotypes that combine stability with wide adaptation across Punjab. These genotypes were evaluated across four diverse agro-climatic zones including Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and Chakwal using a split-plot design. Eight plants were randomly selected from each treatment in each replication, and data on yield/per plant were recorded across four locations. The recorded data was analyzed through analysis of variance and GGE biplot analysis to explore genetic variability and genotype × environment interactions. The GGE biplot analysis, accounting for 93.33% of the total variation, effectively identified both discriminating and representative environments for pea cultivation. Sahiwal emerged as the most discriminating location, making it suitable for identifying specifically adapted genotypes, while Faisalabad and Bahawalpur were found to be more representative of average growing conditions. Genotypes such as Supreme, Pea-09, Champion, Classic, Green cross and 1800-6 were identified as stable and high-yielding across multiple environments. The findings of the study elaborate that by the cultivation of these stable genotypes in Punjab, the average pea yield of the country can be enhanced.