Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Cultivated and Exotic Germplasm Sources of Faba Bean Using Important Morphological Traits

Abstract

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveFaba bean is an important crop for achieving nutritional food security, but there is very limited diversity in the cultivated varieties of faba bean. Moreover, genetic diversity is vital for its use in faba bean genetic imporvement.Material and MethodsHere we determined the diversity in the sixty-four genotypes of faba bean of different agro-ecological origins. Plants were grown in randomized block design in three replications. Further, the genotypes were characterized based on the ten morphological traits.ResultsHighly significant differences were determined for all of the studied traits. Whereas, the number of cluster per plant was positively correlated with the pods per plants. Moreover, the trait number of cluster per plant determined the most substantial positive effect on seed yield.ConclusionsOverall, our results indicate a wide range of variability for further selection and improvement of faba bean ideotype.