Research Article

Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria

Number: 1 August 24, 2026

Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria

Abstract

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop whose productivity is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, making the evaluation of genotype performance and stability essential for breeding and sustainable cultivation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate local field pea varieties grown under the climatic conditions of Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria with respect to yield-related traits and to assess the effects of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction on trait expression and stability. Field experiments were conducted during 2024 and 2025 at two locations (Ruse and Sadovo) using four local field pea cultivars arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant height, number of primary branches, number of productive pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, and seed weight per plant were recorded. The data were analyzed using multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's HSD test, and stability statistics including Shukla's stability variances, Wricke's ecovalence, and Kang's rank-sum criterion. The results demonstrated significant effects of genotype, year, and their interactions on most of the evaluated traits, indicating a substantial influence of environmental conditions on yield formation. In general, higher values for several productivity-related traits were observed under the conditions of the Sadovo environment. The cultivar Ruse 1 exhibited the highest stability for the traits number of seeds per plant and seed weight per plant and achieved favorable rankings according to Kang's stability criterion, whereas Mir showed superior performance for several yield-related characteristics. The obtained results provide useful information for the evaluation of local field pea germplasm and may support breeding programs and the selection of genotypes adapted to different environmental conditions in Bulgaria.

Keywords

References

  1. Abebe, A., Adewumi, A., Adebayo, M., Shaahu, A., Mushoriwa, H., Alabi, T., Derera, J., Agbona, A., & Chigeza, G. (2024). Genotype x environment interaction and yield stability of soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes in multi-environment trials (METs) in Nigeria. Heliyon, 10(19), Article e38097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38097
  2. Alizadeh, B., Rezaizad, A., Hamedani, M. Y., Gholamhossein, S., Nasserghadimi, F., Khademhamzeh, H. R., & Gholizadeh, A. (2022). Genotype x environment interactions and simultaneous selection for high seed yield and stability in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus) multi-environment trials. Agricultural Research, 11, 185–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-021-00565-9
  3. Bocianowski, J., Księżak, J., & Nowosad, K. (2019). Genotype by environment interaction for seed yield in pea (Pisum sativum L.) using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model. Euphytica, 215, Article 191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-019-2515-1
  4. Devi, J., Dubey, R. K., Sagar, V., Verma, R. K., Singh, P. M., & Behera, T. K. (2023). Vegetable peas (Pisum sativum L.) diversity: An analysis of available elite germplasm resources with relevance to crop improvement. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 21(2), Article e0701. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2023212-19457
  5. Dimova, D., & Marinkov, E. (1999). Experiment and biometrics. Academic Publishing House of Agricultural University.
  6. FAO. (2018). Pulses: Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future.
  7. Genchev, G., Marinkov, E., Yovcheva, V., & Ognianova, A. (1975). Biometric methods in plant breeding, genetics and selection. Zemizdat.
  8. Georgieva, N., Nikolova, I., Vasileva, V., Kertikov, T., Kosev, V., & Stoycheva, I. (2023). Technology for production of fodder and seeds from spring peas. Institute of Forage Crops – Agricultural Academy.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Agronomy, Cereals and Legumes, Field Crops and Pasture Production (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 24, 2026

Submission Date

April 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

APA
Zhekova, E., Petrova, S., & Dimitrov, E. (2026). Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1, 1922486. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1922486
AMA
1.Zhekova E, Petrova S, Dimitrov E. Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;(1):1922486. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1922486
Chicago
Zhekova, Evgeniya, Sofia Petrova, and Evgeniy Dimitrov. 2026. “Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1: 1922486. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1922486.
EndNote
Zhekova E, Petrova S, Dimitrov E (August 1, 2026) Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 1 1922486.
IEEE
[1]E. Zhekova, S. Petrova, and E. Dimitrov, “Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria”, YYU J AGR SCI, no. 1, p. 1922486, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.29133/yyutbd.1922486.
ISNAD
Zhekova, Evgeniya - Petrova, Sofia - Dimitrov, Evgeniy. “Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 1 (August 1, 2026): 1922486. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1922486.
JAMA
1.Zhekova E, Petrova S, Dimitrov E. Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;:1922486.
MLA
Zhekova, Evgeniya, et al. “Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1, Aug. 2026, p. 1922486, doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1922486.
Vancouver
1.Evgeniya Zhekova, Sofia Petrova, Evgeniy Dimitrov. Study of Yield Components and Assessment of Their Stability in Local Field Pea Varieties Grown in Northeastern and Central Southern Bulgaria. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026 Aug. 1;(1):1922486. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1922486
Creative Commons License
Yuzuncu Yil University Journal of Agricultural Sciences by Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Agriculture is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.