Evaluation of agronomic traits and environmental adaptability of pea germplasm resources in the Xizang region

Abstract

Pea ( Pisum sativum L .) is extensively cultivated in temperate regions worldwide. The pea seed, rich in high‐quality protein, serves as a vital nutritional food source for both humans and animals. As one of the historically significant crops in the Xizang region, it is ranked among the top four traditional crops there. To investigate the genetic diversity of peas across different areas, an analysis was conducted on 132 pea germplasm resources collected from various parts of Xizang. Statistical analysis of trait data revealed the highest genetic diversity index observed in plant height (PH) (2.67) and the lowest in cotyledon color (CC) (0.06). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a significant positive correlation between the first pod node position and PH, as well as the number of main stem nodes. Conversely, a significant negative correlation was noted between single‐plant yield and PH, node number of main stem (NNMS), and the first fruiting node (FFN), while a positive correlation was found with the pod number per node (PNPN) and the hundred‐seed weight (HSW). Near‐infrared spectroscopy analysis determined the protein and fat content of tested pea dry seeds, with an average amylose content of 50.56% and an average amylopectin content of 49.44%, showing a positive correlation with a coefficient of 1.0. The average crude fat content was 47.53 g, and the average crude protein content was 89.33 g. In summary, this study investigated the germplasm resources, genetic diversity, and associated nutritional components of peas, providing foundational data for their conservation and utilization.