GENETIC ASSOCIATIONS, VARIABILITY AND DIVERSITY IN BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL SEED CHARACTERS IN INDIAN GRASS PEA (Lathyrussativus L.) ACCESSIONS

Availability of genetic diversity is key factor for hybridization program in breeding self pollinated crops. The morphological traits and biochemical nutrient contents (protein) are important factors to identify variability among accessions. This study reports genetic variation evaluated through seed morphological characteristics (shape, coat color, coat texture, size and 100-seeds weight) and biochemical characteristics (total seed protein content) in 53 Indian accession of grass pea. A comparison of results showed 100-seeds weight and protein content range from 4.03 to 8.82 g and 21.9 to 33.7% with the mean value 5.95 g and 25.6% respectively. None of the morphological descriptors were monomorphic and encompassingat least three relatively frequent phenotypic classes. The dendrogram pertaining to seed characteristics demonstrated two major clusters with as many sub-clusters. Some accessions in sub-cluster exhibited 100% similarities that are likely duplicates. The highest inter genotypic distance was observed between accession P-24 and IC-120445 that were included in separate clusters. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed positive significant relationship (r = 0.155, p < 0.267) between 100-seeds weight and total seed protein contents suggesting that high protein content is positively correlated with high 100seeds weight and it will be favorable to develop new cultivars based on these characteristics in grass pea.