Optimizing Pea Cultivation in Kazakhstan: Breeding Drought-Resistant Varieties for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a vital legume for global food security, yet its cultivation in Kazakhstan faces challenges due to arid conditions and limited moisture availability. Breeding high-yielding, stress resistant varieties is critical to enhance agricultural productivity in the region. This study aimed to develop pea varieties with improved yield, drought resistance, and mechanization adaptability under Kazakhstan's agroecological conditions. We evaluated 113 pea variety samples using advanced statistical methods (correlation analysis, ANOVA) and hybridization techniques, focusing on leafless morphotypes with determinate growth. Field trials were conducted from 2010 to 2022, with Aksari and Zhasylai as control varieties. Three new varieties, Aksari, Asylai, and Zhasylai, were developed, exhibiting 15-20% higher yields (19.7-25 c/ha) than existing cultivars (e.g., Shal, ZH-55/1) under drought and biotic stress. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between bean number and yield (r = +0.88, p < 0.001). These varieties offer a genetic foundation for pea breeding in Central Asia, enhancing Kazakhstan's potential to improve agricultural sustainability and food security.