Selected Nutritional Qualities of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) As Affected By Genotypes and Environments.

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important crop in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) of the USA. Information on nutritional qualities of this crop is limited. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of environments and genotypes on grain protein, starch, ash concentrations and their correlation with grain yield. Three green and three yellow cotyledon smooth dry pea varieties were evaluated in 22 environments from 2012 to 2014 across Montana. Genotypes and environments and their interactions effects significantly (p<0.0001) affected protein, starch and ash concentrations and grain yield. The genotype means for protein, starch, ash and grain yield ranged from 207 - 223 g kg^-1, 526 - 570 g kg^-1, 23.0 - 27.6 g kg^-1 and 2269 - 2720 kg ha^-1, respectively. These corresponding mean ranges for environments were substantially wider than genotypes. The genotype Montech 4152 and SW Midas showed higher grain yield performance and less fluctuation across environments, respectively. Montech 4152 produced more protein, ash and grain yield per unit area. Arcadia stood out in starch yield. Creston produced the greatest mean grain yield with improved nutritional qualities due to favorable weather conditions and soil properties. The low protein concentrations in some of the sites require to develop improved agronomic management practices. The positive and significant correlation between ash and grain yield implied any effort that increase grain yield will concurrently improve mineral content thus can contribute to minimize malnutrition and improve productivity.