Genetic variability in Ethiopian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) accessions

Abstract

Knowledge on genetic variability in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is crucial to enhance its production and productivity. However, there has been very limited information on variability of Ethiopian faba bean accessions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability and genetic advance of yield and associated traits in Mecha district during 2019 main cropping season. A total of 81 faba bean accessions were evaluated using 9 × 9 simple lattice design. Data were collected for 14 quantitative and three qualitative traits. The result of analysis of variance showed highly significant (p < 0.01) differences among accessions for all quantitative traits except days to maturity and number of seeds per pod. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for hundred-seed weight (24.02 and 20.29), biomass yield (27.25 and 25.35), harvest index (30.06 and 26.67), grain yield (31.32 and 30.77), number of branches per plant (36.81 and 27.52), number of pods per plant (43.66 and 37.600), and for scores for diseases like ascochyta blight (46.17 and 45.64), chocolate spot (50.1 and 47.9), and rust (66.03 and 64.43), indicating the presence of ample variability residing within the accessions; as a result, these traits could be improved through direct selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for hundred-seed weight, harvest index, number of pods per plant, grain yield, biomass yield, and disease-related traits, indicating the importance of genetic variance for the expression of these traits, and these traits could easily be improved through direct selection.

Keywords:

• coefficient of variance
• direct selection
• faba bean
• genetic advance
• heritability
• variability

Acknowledgements

First of all, I am highly grateful to The Almighty God who gave me good health, guidance, protection and abundant blessings throughout my studies and because of You; I made this through against all odds. I would like to thank Bahir Dar University, college of Agriculture and environmental sciences for providing me opportunity to study my M.Sc. degree and experimental plot for the field research. I would also like to thank Ethiopian biodiversity institute for the provision of accessions for the study. Particular gratitude and appreciation goes to my father Muche Hiywotu and my beloved mother Gedam Addis whose crucial decision to invest part of their resource in my education and all my family members for bringing me up with their priceless love, care, for encouraging and supporting me. I also express my heartfelt thanks to my brothers; Tilahun Muche, Yalew Muche, Habtamu Muche and all my sisters for their financial and moral support specially my brother Tilahun Muche dreams and determination to educate me until I reached M.Sc. level have come true and he had laid a base for me to reach where I am today. I also express my heartfelt thanks to all my friends for their marvelous support during this research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.