Evaluating the Influence of Genotypic Mixtures on Field Pea Productivity and Competitive Ability

• Author / Creator

  Darras, Said

• This study was conducted to determine whether two-way genotypic mixtures could improve field pea productivity and competitive ability and whether genetic relatedness affects the mixing ability of genotypes. Genotypes were chosen on the basis of pedigree: two sister lines (CDC 1987-3 and CDC 1897-14), a common parent (Eclipse), and a distantly related genotype (Midas). Although the results showed that most mixtures performed similar to their components in monocultures, CDC1897-3 x Eclipse was found to reduce pseudo-weed (barley) seed production by 47% and 61% at Lethbridge in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The same mixture also significantly reduced the pseudo-weed biomass by 61% at St. Albert in 2010 and 41% at Lethbridge in 2010 and produced more above-ground biomass than its components in the greenhouse. Therefore, mixtures have potential to improve field pea productivity and competitive ability when combining poorly and strongly competitive genotypes; however, mixtures potential should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Field peas
  • Replacement series
  • Genotypic mixtures
  • Genetic relatedness

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3H41JW0J

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.