Genetics of Height and Branching in Faba Bean (Vicia faba)

Jessa Hughes,Hamid Khazaei,Albert Vandenberg

doi:10.3390/agronomy10081191

Abstract

A better understanding of the genetics of plant architecture, including height and branching, could improve faba bean breeding for varieties with better fit into specific cropping systems. This study aimed to determine the inheritance and genetic interactions of the sources of the dwarf gene (dwf1) and semi-dwarf gene (dwarf1), and to investigate the genetics of branching in the faba bean. We chose inbred lines IG 12658 (dwarf, carrying dwf1) and Rinrei (semi-dwarf, carrying dwarf1) along with Aurora/2 and IG 114476 as sources of non-dwarf faba bean genotypes and crossed them (Aurora/2 × IG 12658, IG 114476 × IG 12658, Rinrei × IG 12658, IG 114476 × Rinrei, and Rinrei × Aurora/2). IG 114476 was also used as a genetic source of a highly branching phenotype and crossed with IG 12658, Rinrei, and Aurora/2 to study the genetics of branching. Parental lines, F1s, and F2 populations were evaluated under growth chamber and field conditions in 2018. The segregating F2 populations were tested for 3:1 single recessive gene inheritance using Chi-square tests. Both dwarfing/semi-dwarfing genes fit 3:1 recessive, and 15:1 for double recessive. Rinrei was not a true dwarf, and the gene creating the dwarf appearance reduced the initial growth rate, but this corrected over time. Multiple F2 populations were also tested for a 3:1 single dominant gene hypothesis for highly branched phenotypes. These populations showed a bell-shaped phenotypic distribution for branch number, with no discernable classes, and revealed that branching was likely quantitatively controlled. In conclusion, dwarfism and branching in faba bean were controlled qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively.

Highlights

Dwarf plants are commonly used in agricultural systems as a method of improving agronomic traits
We have shown that dwarfism and branching in faba bean were controlled qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively
Sources of dwarfism and semi-dwarfism in this study were controlled by independent single recessive genes

Summary

Introduction

Dwarf plants are commonly used in agricultural systems as a method of improving agronomic traits. In wheat (Triticum aestivum), for example, dwarfism was used to reduce lodging and improve yields during the Green Revolution. A key driver of the Green Revolution was the introduction of the. Rht semi-dwarfing genes [1]. Dwarf mutations exist in legume species (reviewed by Huyghe [2]). Six dwarfing sources have been reported in faba bean. The first published record was dw found in cultivar Compacta [3]. Dw gene, found in a spontaneous mutation, was reported by Sjödin [4]. The dw gene, a spontaneous mutation, was found in line HG 115C at INRA

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion