Development and characterization of penta flowering and triple-flowering genotypes in garden pea (Pisum sativum L. var. hortense).

Abstract

This study reports the development of a garden pea genotype `VRPM±901±5' producing five flowers per peduncle at multiple flowering nodes, by using single plant selection approach from a cross `VL-8 × PC-531'. In addition, five other stable genetic stocks, namely VRPM-501, VRPM±502, VRPM±503, VRPM±901±3 and VRPSeL±1 producing three flowers per peduncle at multiple flowering nodes were also developed. All these unique genotypes were of either mid- or late- maturity groups. Furthermore, these multi-flowering genotypes were identified during later generations (F4 onward), which might be because of fixation of certain QTLs or recessive gene combinations. Surprisingly, a common parent PC±531, imparting multi-flowering trait in ten cross combinations was identified. Thus, the genotype PC±531 seems to harbor some recessive gene(s) or QTLs that in certain combination( s) express the multi-flowering trait. The interaction between genotype and environment showed that temperature (11±20ÊC) plays a key role in expression of the multiflowering trait besides genetic background. Furthermore, the possible relationship between various multi-flowering regulatory genes such as FN, FNA, NEPTUNE, SN, DNE, HR and environmental factors was also explored, and a comprehensive model explaining the multiflowering trait in garden pea is proposed.