Population genetic structure and classification of cultivated and wild pea (Pisum sp.) based on morphological traits and SSR markers

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop that is widely grown worldwide for human consumption and livestock feed. Despite extensive studies, the population genetic structure and classification of cultivated and wild pea (Pisum sp.) are remaining controversial. To characterize patterns of genetic and morphological variation and investigate the classification of Pisum, we conducted comprehensive population genetic analyses for 323 accessions from cultivated and wild pea representing three species of Pisum utilizing 34 morphological traits and 87 polymorphic SSR markers. First, we identified three distinct genetic groups among all samples. Group I was primarily composed of Pisum fulvum, Pisum abyssinicum and some wild P. sativum accessions, whereas groups II and III consisted of the two genetic groups under P. sativum representing different geographic distributions of cultivated pea. Analyses of morphological variation revealed significant differences among the three species. Sec..., ,