Growth Characters and Yield of Some Selected Lines of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus)

The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is a dual purpose forage seed legume crop. It has a good potential as winter forage legume under Saudi Arabian conditions. This study was conducted in 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons to evaluate 15 selection lines of the Grass Pea for forage, seed yields and other growth characters. Combined analysis of data from the two years revealed significant difference between years. However, year × selection line interaction was significant only for days to flowering. Significant differences were observed among the selection lines for days to flowering, plant height, biological yield and harvest index. The selected line 519 had the highest biological yield, 4681 kg/ha, and was among the best lines in seed yield, 885 kg/ha. Several other selection lines were also very productive both in seed and biological yields such as 520 and 531, while the lines 522 and 527 had high biological yields only. These lines have a good potential as winter forage legumes under Riyadh area conditions. The selected lines 508, 528 and 530 have a good potential for seed yield only.