Diversity in seed and flour properties in field pea (Pisum sativum) germplasm

The genetic diversity in agronomic, seeds (physicochemical, hydration, textural and cooking) and flour (pasting and gel texture) characteristics amongst 71 field pea lines was studied. L∗-, a∗-, b∗-values, seed weight, density, hydration capacity, swelling capacity and cooking time ranged between 43.6 and 67.1, −2.3 and 6.2, 5.8 and 17.4, 4.26 and 25.65 g/100 seeds, 0.55 and 2.01 g/ml, 0.05 and 0.31 g/seed, 0.02 and 0.76 ml/seed and 45 and 81 min, respectively. Amylose content of starch ranged between 21.4% and 58.3%. Pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback of flours from different lines ranged from 73.5 to 81.5 °C, 533 to 3000, 8 to 187, 121 to 2276, and 183 to 998 cP, respectively. The frequency distribution and principal component analysis revealed significant variation in quality traits amongst the 71 field pea lines.