Management of Vicia faba genetic resources: changes associated to the selfing process in the major, equina and minor groups

Conserving Vicia faba germplasm as a pure line collection requires reliable information of the selfing process. Previous knowledge about the effects of selfing was elaborated on the context of new data. In our study we increased the number of entries, 95 entries from the major, equina and minor groups were studied. The selfing process has been quantified by means of univariate as well as multivariate techniques. Effects of selfing on floral, yield and yield distribution traits were investigated by comparing two levels of selfing in open pollination conditions and in cages to exclude insects. Univariate analysis shows that selfing process results in plants with lower seeds per plant, seeds and ovules per pod and pod length. As selfing progressed there was change in yield distribution traits, the number of the lowest pod bearing node, the number of nodes between the first flower and the first pod increase and the number of nodes with pods decreases. Multivariate analysis indicates that: a) self-pollination profoundly influences plants performance and the three levels of selfing studied are clearly different; b) There is continuum pattern of change from one level of selfing to the another; c) The main characteristics that contributed to the separation among the levels of selfing varies with the botanical group. d) There was no significant contribution to the discrimination among levels of selfing of number of seeds per plant in the major group. Our results are relevant to the management of faba bean germplasm collections and enhance the formulation of integrated strategies of faba bean germplasm multiplication.     

Screening and selection of faba beans (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.) for cold tolerance and comparison to wild relatives

Since autumn-sown faba beans possess several advantages including higher seed yield over the spring cultivars, the study was aimed to screen and select cold tolerant accessions of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and compare these to wild species in the highland of the west Mediterranean region, Turkey. A total of 114 accessions of Vicia species including 109 accessions of faba bean, three accessions of narbon bean (V. narbonensis L.) and two accessions of V. montbretii Fisch. et C.A. Mey. were screened for cold tolerance at seedling stage in two successive years, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 growth seasons. Accessions were evaluated for cold tolerance using a 1 (Highly cold tolerant)-5 (Highly cold susceptible) visual scale. Considerable variation was found for cold tolerance and some agronomical characteristics in faba beans. Wild relatives of faba bean were found to be more tolerant to cold than those of cultivated faba beans. Although some pigmented accessions were free from freezing damage at −9.6°C without snow cover, accessions with white flowers were damaged. The proposed screening technique could easily be used to evaluate many faba bean accessions for cold tolerance. To increase yield, it was concluded that the cold tolerant accessions with high yield could be grown as autumn-sown crop in the target environment.     

Variation among Spanish faba beans cultivars: taxonomic and evolutionary implications

Summary Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to examine phenotypic variability within a Spanish faba bean germplasm collection maintained at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Córdoba, Spain.The analysis of 158 Spanish faba bean accessions and 12 quantitative traits indicated highly significant differences among botanical groups for 8 characters and among geographic regions for 10 characters. An east to west clinal pattern of variation for some characters was detected.In order to identify the main characters which account for the major variation, the same collection was subjected to principal component analysis for 12 quantitative traits. Reproductive and plant height characters appeared to be the major sources of diversity.To determine the importance of both geographic and botanical variation among the Spanish cultivars, discriminant analysis was applied. According to these analyses, plant height, height of the lowest pod-bearing node, pod length and 100 seed weight, were important traits discriminating among different geographic regions. The main character discriminating among botanical groups was the 100 seed weight.Our results fit in a pattern in which both agroecological and anthropological causes could have played a role in the observed variation. This analysis can help plant breeders in choosing the most favorable accessions in plant breeding.     

Performance of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Landraces from Spain in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Environments

Ninety-five common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces from Spain were evaluated in three different environments in northern Spain for their agronomic performance and seed quality. Significant differences among landraces were found for 14 quantitative traits related to phenology, yield and its components, and seed quality traits. Environmental effects were significant for all traits evaluated except for seeds pod^?1, seed width/thickness, seed weight, and seed water absorption. Landrace by environment interactions were significant for all traits except for seeds pod^?1 and seed water absorption. Selection of new breeding lines for agronomic performance and seed quality within landraces should be reliable because many of them are mixture of lines. Some heirloom varieties belonging to the types faba, caparrón,riñón,ganxet and tolosana had the best performances regarding to seed quality and yield. Principal component analysis revealed differences among environments affecting the performance of the bean landraces. Variation in the landraces seems to be organized in a different way in each one of the test environments, therefore, low plasticity and specific adaptation of Spanish bean landraces to different environments is derived from this study. Some landraces, especially those large and white seeded should be an useful resource for sustainable farming systems in different biogeographical areas and a worthy germplasm for the genetic improvement of agronomic value and seed quality.     

Collection, evaluation and classification of Greek populations of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Fifty-five Greek Vicia faba L. populations, collected from diverse areas, were planted at two dry and low fertility sites for evaluation and classification. Yield evaluation, which was carried out by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the basis of seven yield traits, showed the number of pods per plant, number of ovules and seeds per pod, and branching from the basal nodes to be the most important traits for population evaluation regarding yield. For population classification, four dissimilarity coefficients (Manhattan, Average Taxonomic Distance, Euclidean distance and squared Euclidean distance) and four multivariate methods (PCA, UPGMA, Neighbor-joining and Principal Coordinate Analysis) were evaluated using fifteen morphological and seven yield traits. Neighbor-joining was chosen as the most suitable multivariate method. This method combined with PCA for the seven yield traits, placed the populations into six groups. As revealed by the application of PCA on all twenty-two traits the grouping was based mainly on pod characteristics, stem thickness, plant height, 1000 seed weight and branching from basal nodes. Based on the results of the present study, a model is proposed for conserving cross-pollinated species, such as faba bean.     

Patterns of diversity in pigeonpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cajanus cajan</Emphasis> (L.) Millsp.) germplasm collected from different elevations in Kenya

Pigeonpea germplasm accessions collected from low (<500 m), medium (501–1000 m), high (1001–1500 m) and very high elevation zones (>1500 m) of Kenya were evaluated for 15 agronomic traits and seed protein content at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) among elevation zones for the number of primary and secondary branches, days to 75% maturity, pod length, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield. Mean values indicated that the accessions from low elevation zone were significantly different from those collected in higher elevation zones for early flowering and maturity, number of primary branches, pod length, number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, seed yield and harvest index. None of the accessions collected in Kenya belonged to extra early (<80 days to 50% flowering) and early (80–100 days to 50% flowering) maturity groups, as defined by time to flowering at Patancheru, India. Mean diversity index based on all characters indicated that accessions from the low elevation zone are more diverse than those from the higher elevation zones. Frequency distribution for trait extremes indicated that the accessions from the low elevation zone were early to flower and mature, short statured, produced more primary and secondary branches with high pod bearing length, long pods, more pods per plant, more seeds per pod, a high seed yield and harvest index. Accessions from the very high elevation zone were late flowering, with a large number of tertiary branches, large seeds and a high shelling percentage and could be a source for cold tolerance and the breeding of vegetable types. Results suggest that the elevation of collection sites is therefore a very important determinant of variation patterns of pigeonpea in Kenya.     

Characterization of Greek populations of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and their evaluation using a new parameter

Using data from four environments of a two-year experiment, a collection of 55 Greek faba bean populations wascharacterized on the basis of ten morphological and ten agronomical traits. The collection can be described ashaving flowers with medium intensity of streaks on standard petal, two to three flowers per inflorescence, leaveswith six leaflets per leaf, sub-elliptic leaflet shape and small or medium leaflet size. The stems had weak ormedium pigmentation at flowering time, were of low or medium thickness, had medium height and mediumbranching from basal nodes and high resistance to lodging. Pods were mainly basal with pendent attitude, flattenedin shape, had dark colour at maturity and were small with few ovules and seeds. Most seeds had testa of light greencolour. This characterization makes the present collection similar to other South European faba bean populations.Apart from characterization, collections should also be evaluated from the breeding point of view. Since themost desirable populations within a collection are those with valuable but 'low frequency' levels of traits, theparameter R (rareness) was proposed. For each trait, a partial rareness (R ) parameter is calculated using only ithose trait levels that can be considered as having 'low frequency'. The parameter R is the sum of the 'partialrarenesses'. Populations with high frequencies of the 'lowest frequency' levels of traits in the collection arecharacterized by high values of R and can, therefore, be more easily identified.     

蚕豆6×6双列杂交子代主要性状的遗传效应分析

为提高蚕豆优势组合的选配效率,以6个蚕豆材料(P1~P6)为亲本,采用Griffing完全双列杂交配制30个组合,分析亲本和F₁的9个主要农艺性状的杂种优势、配合力和遗传力。结果表明,蚕豆产量相关农艺性状的杂种优势明显,分枝数、单株荚数、单株粒数、每荚粒数、百粒重和单株产量的超亲优势为正值,株高、始荚高和主茎节数的超亲优势为负值。配合力效应分析表明,P1和P2为选育大粒高产的优良亲本,P1×P2和P4×P6符合高产的育种目标,P2×P5和P2×P6符合大粒的育种目标;遗传力分析表明,百粒重、每荚粒数和单株粒数的广义遗传力和狭义遗传力均较高,可以相对稳定地遗传给后代,且这3个性状主要受加性效应控制,适宜进行早代选择,其他性状主要受非加性效应影响;主要性状与单株产量的相关分析表明,蚕豆育种应将单株荚数和单株粒数作为重点目标;通径分析表明,在育种过程中应重点关注分枝数、株高、百粒重、每荚粒数等农艺性状。本研究为蚕豆育种进程中的亲本选配和后代选择提供了一定的理论依据。     

Inter-relation between descriptors and morphine yield in Asian germplasm of opium poppy Papaver somniferum

A set of 208 Indian and two Thai germplasm accessions of opium poppy Papaver somniferum were assessed for variation in 17 morphological characters, seed yield and content and yield of morphine from capsules and peduncles. The germplasm was found to be highly variable for all the characters evaluated. In the harvested peduncles and capsules, 13% was peduncle straw, 61% seeds and the rest capsule husk. The peduncle and capsule straw yields ranged between 0.6–2.2 and 1.4–5.3 g plant^-1, respectively. Morphine content in the peduncle varied between about 0.001–0.24% and that in the capsule from 0.02 to 1.05%. On average basis morphine content in the capsule husk was more than 9-fold higher than the peduncle straw. The plant morphine yields from peduncles and capsules ranged between 1.2 and 28.6 mg plant^-1. Four accessions yielded more than 20 mg of morphine plant^-1. Among these, in one of the accessions about 13% of the morphine was contributed by the peduncle. The plants of high morphine yielding accessions were generally small in height, and bore white flowers and large sized ungrooved capsules with a small number of seeds, on a large peduncle.     

Characterization of core collection of lentil germplasm for phenology, morphology, seed and straw yields

Increasing and maintaining crop residues in predominantly cereal-based rotations of the US Pacific Northwest is critical to controlling soil erosion. The core collection of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) germplasm comprising 287 accessions was evaluated for variation in phenological, morphological and growth parameters including seed yields and residue amounts over a two-year period under conventional tillage and no-till conditions. The objectives of this study were (i) assess lentil genetic variation in germplasm for variation in biomass production and seed yield, (ii) assess the relationship of phenological and morphological traits with biomass and seed yield and (iii) identify high biomass producing germplasm for use as parents in the breeding program. Days to flowering and days to maturity ranged from 31 to 78 and from 71 to 106 days, respectively. Time to flowering in terms of cumulative heat units was a more efficient measurement than days to flowering. Plant height and plant canopy width had a significant association with total biomass, seed yield and residue amounts. Total biomass ranged from 788–6389 kg ha^–1 under conventional tillage, while the range under no-till conditions was 1045–6195 kg ha^–1. Most of the lines with higher biomass also produced the highest seed yields and residue amounts. Overall, only one accession produced more residue than `Laird'. In the more favorable environment of 1997, six accessions exceeded the control cultivars, `Laird' and `Indianhead', for residue amounts, and seven and twenty-four accessions exceeded control cultivars, `Pardina' and `Brewer', for seed yield. Results indicated that plant height, canopy width at maturity and seed yield explained most of the variation in biomass and residue production. Large seeded germplasm consistently had a longer reproductive growth period than small seeded accessions and had 17%, 7% and 21% more biomass, seed yield and residue, respectively. Our data indicated significant variation in lentil germplasm for biomass, seed yield and residue amounts to warrant their use in the breeding program.     

Agrobiodiversity of eleven accessions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucuna pruriens</Emphasis> (L.) DC. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">utilis</Emphasis> (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck (velvet bean) collected from four districts of South India

Eleven accessions of an under-utilized legume, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck (velvet bean) were collected from four districts of South India and their agronomic characters were evaluated. The vegetative growth characters such as the germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves and branches per plant were recorded. The yield based characters such as the number of clusters/plant (4–14), number of flowers/cluster (3–15) and the fertility index (66–91%) were observed. The seed yield reaches 2.9–6.9 t/ha. The number of seeds per pod, seed weight and the seed recovery percentage were also calculated. The level of diversity in the agrobotanical traits of velvet bean observed in the present study could be of interest in a breeding programme.     

蚕豆亚有限生长型新种质的发现与鉴定

蚕豆是重要的生物固氮和植物蛋白源作物,在改良土壤培肥地力、改善温带农业区持续蛋白生产方面尤为重要。然而,蚕豆品种的无限生长习性是导致机械化程度低的主因之一,极大地制约了蚕豆的规模化种植。为了探讨亚有限型在蚕豆育种中的应用及其对合理株型矮化育种研究的推动作用,通过查阅相关文献和多年的选择鉴定,对亚有限生长型新种质的发现过程和主要特征进行了总结归纳。对3个具有不同生长习性的种质与青蚕17号×RF25 F2分离群体主要农艺性状的表现差异进行了分析。结果表明,在F2群体中,亚有限型在开花层数、株高、结荚层数上与有限、无限型均存在显著差异,无限型与亚有限型的单株荚数、单株粒数、单株产量差异不显著,二者均显著高于有限型。说明亚有限生长习性蚕豆在品种改良后,能兼顾产量与机械化收获,在生产中应用优势更明显。     

间作和施氮对小麦和蚕豆籽粒淀粉及蛋白质含量的影响

  【目的】  探明小麦/蚕豆间作下作物籽粒淀粉和蛋白质含量的变化特征及其对氮肥施用的响应。  【方法】  小麦/蚕豆间作田间试验于2019和2020年在云南昆明进行,供试小麦品种为云麦52 (Triticum aestivum L.),蚕豆品种为玉溪大粒豆(Vicia faba L.)。种植模式包括小麦单作、蚕豆单作、小麦蚕豆间作。每个种植模式均设4个施氮水平,小麦分别为N 0、90、180、270 kg/hm2,蚕豆分别为N 0、45、90、135 kg/hm2。成熟期测定了小麦和蚕豆籽粒淀粉和蛋白质含量。  【结果】  随着氮肥施用量的增加,单作、间作小麦籽粒的淀粉含量均显著降低。在4个施氮水平下,2019和2020年间作小麦较单作小麦籽粒总淀粉含量分别提高了10%和22%,支链淀粉含量分别提高了5%和18%,直链淀粉含量分别提高了18%和28%。间作蚕豆相较于单作蚕豆显著降低了籽粒支链、直链和总淀粉含量,且年际间变异较大。2019和2020年间作小麦籽粒总蛋白含量较单作小麦分别提高了5%和6%,醇溶蛋白含量分别提高了9%和15%;蚕豆间作也较单作提高了两年的蚕豆籽粒球蛋白含量和2019年的醇溶蛋白含量,但对蚕豆籽粒总蛋白及其它蛋白组分含量无明显影响。  【结论】  小麦蚕豆间作有利于提高小麦籽粒蛋白质和淀粉含量,而对蚕豆籽粒蛋白质含量几乎无影响,因此,间作是一种具有品质优势的种植模式。     

Changes in seed Morphology, Dormancy and Germination from wild to Cultivated Hyacinth bean Germplasm (Lablab purpureus: Papilionoideae)

Morphological and physiological seed characteristics of the hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) were investigated in a set of 18 different germplasm accessions, from wild over semi-domesticated forms to landraces and current cultivars. The objective of this study was to improve the understanding of the domestication of this tropical legume crop. Wild accessions were easily distinguished by morphological characters, such as small, greyish-brown, mottled seeds. Cultivated or semi-domesticated forms showed a much wider variation in size, colour and shape. Seed mass of cultivated accessions reached up to almost 10 times that of wild accessions. Most wild accessions showed a greater spread of germination and larger proportions of hard seeds, up to about 70%, than most cultivated and so-called semi-domesticated accessions. Cluster analysis applied separately to morphological and germination data and a subsequent discriminant analysis did not help integrating the morphological variability observed. The presumed occurrence of semi-domesticated accessions within the germplasm tested as well as the crop's origin from Africa alone or both Africa and Asia are debated on the basis of seed germination and hard seed coat dormancy.     

Complementary resource use in intercropped faba bean and cabbage by increased root growth and nitrogen use in organic production

Intercropping can improve yield and nitrogen use efficiency in organic vegetable production by pairing crops with complementary resource use. An intercrop field experiment was conducted to determine yield, root growth and nitrogen (N) dynamics using faba bean (Vicia faba L.) grown as a vegetable and pointed cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata cv. conica). Both crops were grown in monocropping (MC) and intercropping systems (IC). Minirhizotrons were used to measure root growth. Yield of pointed cabbage per metre row was 28% higher under the IC system than under MC, whereas faba bean yield as fresh seeds did not differ. The land equivalent ratio was 1.06, showing that improved yield under IC resulted from efficient land resource use. Even though MC cabbage had the highest aboveground biomass, total N accumulation was higher under IC and MC faba bean systems. Both root frequency and intensity were greater under IC faba bean rows compared with MC faba bean because of the presence of cabbage roots in faba bean rows. Monocropped cabbage had the highest root intensity and the lowest amount of soil mineral N in the 0–1.5 m depth after harvest. Monocropped cabbage was efficient in assimilating N, whereas MC faba bean was efficient in exporting N as harvestable yield. The nitrogen use efficiency using the IC system (75%) was higher than growing faba bean (44%) and cabbage (65%) alone. Thus, faba bean as an intercrop in organic cabbage production systems improves land and N use efficiency by complementary root growth.     

Nitrogen yield and nitrogen fixation of winter faba beans

Introducing autumn-sown legumes into Central European farming systems could be beneficial for addressing two challenges for European agriculture, i.e., the substantial deficit of protein sources for livestock and expected changes in agroclimatic conditions. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conucted under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria to assess nitrogen (N) yield and N fixation of several winter faba bean varieties from different European countries as compared to a spring faba bean. Winter wheat was used as a reference crop for estimating atmospheric N fixation. Winter faba beans were susceptible to frost damage especially in the harder of the two winters. Winter faba bean varieties could not achieve a higher grain yield and a higher grain N yield than the spring faba bean but had a higher grain N concentration (except for one variety). Grain yield and grain N yield of faba beans were severely impaired by drought in one year (with a mean of varieties of 8.3 g N m^?2, winter wheat: 6.4 g N m^?2); in the other year, grain N yield of faba beans considerably surpassed that of winter wheat (with a mean of varieties of 21.5 g N m^?2, winter wheat: 8.8 g N m^?2). After harvest, faba beans left higher nitrate residues in the soil, especially in the subsoil, and higher amounts of N in above-ground residues compared to winter wheat. Faba beans showed high N fixation under optimum conditions (with a mean of varieties of 21.9 g N m^?2) whereas drought considerably impaired N fixation (with a mean of varieties of 6.3 g N m^?2; with no differences between autumn- and spring-sown faba beans). In conclusion, growing winter faba bean varieties in eastern Austria did not result in higher grain yield, grain N yield, and N fixation compared to growing a spring faba bean.     

A study of variability in the Sicilian faba bean landrace ‘Larga di Leonforte’

In this paper molecular analysis, physical, technological, and chemical traits were used to estimate the level of variation on five accessions of a locally adapted Sicilian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) landrace named ‘Larga di Leonforte’. DNA analysis was performed using the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) molecular marker class and two other faba beans (cv. ‘Aguadulce Samba’—Spain—and landrace ‘Locale di Modica’—Sicily) were used as controls. Although the accessions of ‘Larga di Leonforte’ varied significantly for most of the agronomical and physical traits, this landrace generally had a heavy seed weight, short but large pods, and no more than two seeds per pod. This last characteristic allowed for erect pod angle attitude at maturity. Idratation data showed difference among accessions in seed weight at full hydration and in absorption rate at the very beginning of the hydration process, while any difference among accessions emerged in terms of cooking properties. The six AFLP Eco+3/Mse+3 different primer combinations applied in this research revealed different levels of polymorphism among the faba bean accessions and a total number of 346 amplicons were generated. Around 60% of amplicons displayed a polymorphic pattern among different accessions. Cluster analysis on morphological, technological, chemical and molecular data placed the all five ‘Larga di Leonforte’ accessions into a separated group, and the Sicilian material shares a fairly large amount of similarity with respect to the cultivar ‘Aguadulce Samba’ selected in Spain.     

Diversity in White Lupin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus albus</Emphasis> L.) Landraces from Northwest Iberianplateau

All the accessions (35) of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) landraces collected from northwest Iberian plateau and maintained at the Spanish germplasm collection (CRF of INIA), were studied with the general objective of assessing the biodiversity of these landraces and to ascertain their value as genetic resources for the development of germplasm adapted to the areas where they were collected with long and chilly winters. The characterization study comprised 51 qualitative and 50 quantitative characters. Quantitative parameters were analyzed by Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The 2-dimensional plot (49.3% of cumulative variability) formed a main group of accessions and 4 outliers (#1, #9, #27 and #28) separated in the first PC. The characters with a higher contribution to the first PC were inflorescence length, leaf petiole length and leaf central foliole area. The presence of alkaloids, the percentage of plants killed by soil borne fungal diseases, the phenology, the yield per plant and yield components were also assessed. Twenty six accessions (the main group in the PCA plot) showed high homogeneity, with the following highlights: bitterness, indeterminate growth habit, early ripeness and spring sowing with the exception of #18, in which seeding date is unknown and it had a later phenology. By contrast accessions #9 and #27 were bitter of autumn sowing with determinate growing habit and they had the longest values of primary inflorescence length and a later phenology when they were sown in spring. Average values for yield and yield components showed a broad range of variation between accessions. The main yield component was the number of pods per plant. Accession #22 had the highest mean seed mass, although this had not significant influence in yield. Accession #17 showed the highest yield and #1 the lowest. This last also had the lowest values of inflorescence length, leaf petiole length and leaf central foliole area. No significant differences of resistance to soil-borne fungi were found between accessions. The year had a significant effect in the phenology, yield and yield components except for number of seeds per pod. The studied material might be of interest for the development of spring sowing germplasm adapted to north Iberian peninsula.