Genotype and Environment Effects on Yield, Starch and Protein of Dry Peas.

Genotype and environment effects on yield, starch and protein of dry peas

Aifen Tao^1,2，Reza Keshavarz Afshar¹，Yesuf Assen Mohammed¹, Chengci Chen¹*

¹Montana State University, Central Agricultural Research Center, 52583 U.S. Hwy87, Moccasin, MT 59462

² Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University,Fuzhou,350028,P.R.China

Abstract

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) have long been important components of human diet, providing an excellent source of protein. Recently, extensive attention has been paid to the importance of resistant starch (RS) in foods due to its health benefits. A two-year field experiment was conducted at five locations across Montana, USA to evaluate: 1) genotype (G) and environment (E) impacts on seed yield, starch content and protein content of dry peas and 2) how RS content relates to yield, protein and total starch (TS) content. Results indicated that seed yield, RS, TS and protein contents were all significantly influenced by G, E, and G×E, where E accounted for 90% of total variations for yield indicating pea genotype selection for adaptation to different environments is important. The content of RS in pea genotypes ranged from 10 to 42.3 g kg^-1, TS from 455 to 526 g kg^-1, protein from 190 to 226 g kg^-1, and grain yield from 2249 to 3010 kg ha^-1. A significant and positive correlation was found between yield and protein as well as yield and RS content. Correlation between RS and protein was not significant while total starch and protein were negatively correlated. These results imply that through breeding and agronomy efforts both high protein and RS contain peas is obtainable. Navarro was the genotype that produced the highest grain yield in both high and low yielding environments but contained low levels of RS. Ds Admiral and Agassiz were the genotype that produced an acceptable yield, protein, and RS content simultaneously.

Key words: Peas, Resistant Starch, Protein, Yield, Environment

*Corresponding author: Chengci Chen, professor, E-mail: cchen@montana.edu