Generation Mean Analysis, Heterosis, and Genetic Diversity in Five Egyptian Faba Beans and Their Hybrids

Abstract

The faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a major legume crop; thus, it is important to apply various biometrical techniques to develop the most efficient breeding procedures to face biotic and abiotic stressors. During the four consecutive winter seasons of 2017–2021, five populations of five faba bean hybrids were studied at Sakha agricultural research station in Egypt. Five basic generations, including two parents (P1 and P2) and the first, second, and third generations, were studied. This analysis found significant variations between generations in all attributes studied in all crosses (P1, P2, F1, F2, and F3). Sakha 4 was the earliest parent (138 days) based on the maturity date, whereas Giza 40 had the most significant number of pods and seeds per plant (25.68–78.94), and Giza 716 had the tallest plant height (124.00 cm). Giza 843 and Sakha 4 had the highest seed yield per plant values (62.84 g and 61.77 g). The data demonstrated highly substantial heterosis in the favorable direction over mid and better parents for all features, except for the number of branches in Cross 3 (Giza 40 × Giza 843) over mid and better parents and a maturity date in Cross 1 over mid parents. Contrarily, opposite-direction dominance and dominance × dominance effects increased narrow-sense heredity. Broad-sense heritability values for all examined characteristics were high in all crosses, ranging from 90.24% to 97.67%. In both Crosses 5 (Giza 716 × Qahera 4) and 3, genetic advance through selection ranged from 1.73% at the maturity date to 95.12% for seed yield per plant. Cross 3 (Giza 40 × Giza 843) had the greatest number of branches, pods, and seeds per plant. In conclusion, this study advances our understanding of employing faba beans in breeding programs.

The Potential Genetic Effect for Yield and Foliar Disease Resistance in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Assessed via Morphological and SCoT Markers

“…Moreover, high heritability in a narrow sense, indicates that the genetic variance of additives played a vital role in the existence of variability. These results are similar to those reported previously [22,26,44,46]. Johnson et al [50] reported that to predict selection results for the best individuals, we need to estimate the heritability value with genetic advances, which are more valuable than the value of heritability alone.…”

“…In the case of crossing between inbreed lines, their progeny may achieve higher performance than them (hybrid vigor), as reported by Falconer [45]. The reduction in the mean performance of F 2 indicates an increment in inbreeding depression and vice versa, which implies the low genetic diversity of the parents [22,26,46]. In the potence ratio, values of measured characteristics, more than unity, reflect over-dominance effects.…”

“…Hybrid vigor means that trait analysis recorded statistically positive and significant different results. This means that the F 1 superior to the mid-parent might reflect the genetic variability in crossed parents and vice versa [26,44]. The value of inbreeding depression is the opposite of the heterosis value.…”

“…Consequently, heterosis resulting from the combined action and interaction between allelic and inter-allelic genes is an effective means by which faba bean and hybrid combinations will improve yield [22,24]. The heterotic effects in faba bean ranged from significantly positive to significantly negative estimates, contributing to the improvement in yield and its components [25,26]. Inbreeding depression reduces auto fertility and yield in the absence of pollinator, and yield can be minimized by 11% through the loss of heterosis, whereas high inbreeding depression recorded lower values in the F 2 s, in general, than the F 1 s for most traits in faba bean [26][27][28].…”

Molecular genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium structure of the Egyptian faba bean using Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET)

“…The Middle East is frequently cited as the region of origin, although alternative research [ 2 , 3 ] points to Central Asia. Egypt uses faba beans extensively since they are an affordable food with good nutritional value, especially when it comes to their high protein content [ 4 ]. The average total protein content of faba beans is 29%, and they have a high production potential.…”