Genotypic Variation in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Under Increasing NaCl Concentrations in a Controlled Vertical Farming System
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important grain legume crop with nutritional, agronomic and ecological value. This study evaluated five pea genotypes (Favorit, Korvin, Mali Provansalac, Vilo and Virtus) under four NaCl concentrations in irrigation water (0, 100, 150 and 200 mM) in a controlled-environment pot experiment conducted over two independent growing cycles (GC1: first growing cycle, 9 January–4 March 2025, and GC2: second growing cycle, 17 March–12 May 2025). Pot means were experimental observations, while plant observations were averaged within pots and analyses were conducted separately by cycle. Genotype significantly affected all six yield-related and biomass traits in both cycles, accounting for 27.1–68.1% of the total sum of squares, whereas NaCl treatment accounted for 1.2–11.2%, and the genotype × treatment interaction was not significant for any trait in either cycle. Treatment effects varied by trait and cycle, while genotype × treatment interactions were not significant in either cycle. At 200 mM NaCl, means averaged across genotypes in GC1 were lower than the control for pod length (−12.2%), seed weight per plant (−23.9%), fresh biomass (−36.5%), and dry biomass (−15.8%). Fresh and dry biomass were higher in GC2 (+57.1% and +50.0%, respectively). Moderate NaCl levels (100–150 mM) did not significantly reduce seed weight or biomass and gave the highest mean values. Among genotypes, Favorit consistently exhibited relatively high seed weight, pod length and biomass across NaCl levels in both cycles, whereas Vilo and Virtus showed greater reductions under 200 mM NaCl in GC1. These results indicate genetic variability in the response of pea to NaCl and provide a basis for subsequent studies with greater replication and for validation under greenhouse and field conditions aimed at identifying salt-tolerant genotypes.
Source: Horticulturae
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
OpenAlex ID: W7225778479
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