Geographic dispersion and varietal diversity in Vicia faba L.

Summary Twenty-six faba bean (Vicia faba L.) populations, from five geographic areas and five varietal types have been assayed electrophoretically for variation in seven isozyme systems. Isozyme frequencies in populations, botanical varieties and geographical areas were submitted to the principal component analysis (PCA). Varieties grouped together showed no differences among them except for isolated populations. Populations from Ethiopia and China lay far apart in PCA from those of other origins. It seems that no genetic divergence at the isozyme level took place during the varietal formation and dispersion process, except when geographical isolation of the population occurred. The results support the hypothesis of an isolation of the crop in Ethiopia and in China.