Impact of Molecular Technologies on Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Breeding Strategies

Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a major food and feed legume because of the high nutritional value of its seeds. The main objectives of faba bean breeding are to improve yield, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, seed quality and other agronomic traits. The partial cross-pollinated nature of faba bean introduces both challenges and opportunities for population development and breeding. Breeding methods that are applicable to self-pollinated crops or open-pollinated crops are not highly suitable for faba bean. However, traditional breeding methods such as recurrent mass selection have been established in faba bean and used successfully in breeding for resistance to diseases. Molecular breeding strategies that integrate the latest innovations in genetics and genomics with traditional breeding strategies have many potential applications for future faba bean cultivar development. Hence, considerable efforts have been undertaken in identifying molecular markers, enriching genetic and genomic resources using high-throughput sequencing technologies and improving genetic transformation techniques in faba bean. However, the impact of research on practical faba bean breeding and cultivar release to farmers has been limited due to disconnects between research and breeding objectives and the high costs of research and implementation. The situation with faba bean is similar to other small crops and highlights the need for coordinated, collaborative research programs that interact closely with commercially focused breeding programs to ensure that technologies are implemented effectively

Genetic variability in Tunisian populations of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. major) assessed by morphological and SSR markers

“…Many factors act to influence population genetic diversity including mating system, gene flow and seed dispersal, geographic range as well as natural selection (Amos and Harwood 1998). Faba bean is partially allogamous, with rates of out-crossing ranging from 10 to 70% and differing between environments and genotypes, which could explain highly heterogeneous populations and heterozygous plants (Bond 1987;Gnanasambandam et al 2012). Hence, there is considerable potential to select within Tunisian populations specific traits such as tolerance to drought stress.…”

Legume Crops Phylogeny and Genetic Diversity for Science and Breeding

“…The success of this breeding effort demonstrates the benefit of including diverse germplasm from different origins (Gnanasambandam et al, 2012).…”

“…Despite the complicated, large genome, significant efforts have been made to understand the genetics and genomics of faba bean. Linkage maps of faba bean have been constructed based on various marker types, and various QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) have been identified (reviewed in Gnanasambandam et al, 2012;Ma et al, 2013).…”

Evaluation for fresh consumption of new broad bean genotypes with a determinate growth habit in central Chile

“…The terminal inflorescence trait, produced by the recessive ti gene (Nadal et al, 2004), has been incorporated into a number of indeterminate broad bean genotypes. While the ti genotypes have lower biomass and lower yield potential than the conventional indeterminate germplasm, synchronous pod development facilitates mechanical harvesting of vegetable broad beans (Nadal et al, 2005;Gnanasambandam et al, 2012). In addition, these genotypes have a lower percentage of abscission (Chbouki et al, 2005) and a higher harvest index (HI) than indeterminate cultivars grown at similar plant densities (Gnanasambandam et al, 2012).…”

“…Still another group is based on growth habit with determinate and indeterminate genotypes. Modern cultivars are grown in Australia, Canada, and European countries, while landraces are still grown in many countries (Gnanasambandam et al, 2012). Genotypes available worldwide vary in grain size and growth habit.…”