English

Abstract

Faba bean is an important grain legume crop in the world. Use of plant genetic breeding resources can help develop high yield and stress tolerant plant genotypes. In this study, genetic diversity of 144 faba bean accessions, collected from different parts of the world growing under Saudi Arabian conditions, was evaluated based on agro morphological basis. A wide range of variability was recorded for all the qualitative characters except growth habit (determinate 1.3% indeterminate 98.7%) and pod shattering (non-shattering 99.4%; shattering 0.6%). A high level of diversity was recorded in the qualitative characteristics including leaflet size, stipule spot pigmentation, flower ground color, intensity of streak, wing petal colors, pod colors, pod angle, hilum color, pod shattering, ground color of testa and seed shape in the tested faba bean accessions. The principal component analysis results showed that highest (95.32%) diversity came from three principal components, and dendrogram results divided faba bean into 8 distinct groups based on their origin. The cluster study of the tested faba beans accessions was based on the origin as well as on the genetic history. The extent of variability and diversity in the tested faba bean accessions indicate their potential for use in the faba bean breeding program.