Environmental and genetic variation in protein content of peas under northern growing conditions and breeding implications

Abstract

Association of protein content in peas with climatic factors was studied on data based on official cultivar trials at six locations in southern Finland in 1978—1985. Correlation and step-wise multiple linear regression methods were used to define the main climatic variables affecting protein content. Correlation studies showed that protein content was significantly and positively associated with temperature sum and mean June temperature and significantly negatively correlated with July precipitation. Regression analysis indicated that climatic factors accounted for 25 %—70 % of the total variation in protein content. Temperature sum and precipitation in July were the most important independent variables explaining protein variation. The role of environmental factors for protein variation and its implications for the improvement of protein content by plant breeding is discussed.