Root biomass accumulation in some varieties and hybrids of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Article info: Received: 27 August 2014 Accepted: 13 November 2014 ABSTRACT Root biomass accumulation in spring and winter varieties and hybrids pea was recorded in field experiment in the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2011-2013). Spring (Shtambovyi and Pleven 4) and winter (Rosacrono and Pleven 10) varieties and their hybrids (Shtambovyi x Pleven 10 and Rosacrono х Pleven 4) (in first and second generation, F1 and F2) were investigated for fresh and dry root biomass accumulation at three phenological stages of plant development (budding, beginning of flowering and maturity). It was found that the tested varieties and hybrids pea accumulated different amount root biomass at the different stages of plant development. Pleven 10 (67.5 kg/da fresh and 11.28 kg/da dry root biomass) and Rosacrono х Pleven 4 (F1) (68.7 kg/da fresh and 14.8 kg/da dry root biomass) accumulated the greatest amount of root biomass at the budding stage. Winter variety Rosocrono accumulated the greatest amount of root biomass at the beginning of flowering (59.04 kg/da fresh and 16.20 kg/da dry root biomass). In this stage, hybrids Rosacrono х Pleven 4 formed significantly more root biomass in both generations, in F1 reached to 108.0 kg/da fresh and to 26.10 kg/da dry root biomass. At the maturity Pleven 10 formed 20.88 kg/da dry root biomass and the hybrid Shtambovyi х Pleven 10 (F1) 24.96 kg/da, respectively. The genetical part in phenotypic expression for investigated traits in Pleven 10 х Shtambovyi was relative high and existed probability for selection of homozygous genotypes in F3 and F4 hybrid generations. The data for root biomass accumulation at different phenological stages could be used as parameters for characterization and differentiations of samples, hybrids and lines in this crop