Identification of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Accessions Resistant to Fusarium Wilt Using Integrated Disease Severity Indices and Multivariate Classification

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. pisi, represents one of the most significant challenges to global pea (Pisum sativum L.) production, leading to substantial yield losses under favorable conditions for disease development. Conventional control approaches, such as crop rotation and chemical treatments, have shown limited long-term effectiveness, thereby reinforcing the importance of breeding for durable genetic resistance. This study aimed to identify promising pea genotypes that exhibit resistance to Fusarium wilt through an integrated evaluation of disease progression and multivariate variability. A total of 84 genotypes were tested under greenhouse conditions using naturally infested soil. Disease symptoms were recorded weekly, and cumulative disease severity was quantified using a standardized rating system. Based on symptom development, the genotypes were initially classified into resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible groups. Multivariate analyses revealed clear phenotypic differentiation among these groups. Several genotypes consistently displayed reduced disease severity, indicating their potential value for future breeding programs. Statistical analyses validated the classification using dimensionality reduction and discrimination techniques. This study demonstrates that integrating disease severity data with multivariate analyses provides an effective and reproducible framework for the early identification of resistant genotypes. The promising genotypes identified herein serve as valuable genetic resources for developing resistant cultivars that support the sustainability of legume production under increasing biotic stress conditions.