Performance and Analysis of F1 and F2 Diallel Crossses among Six Parents of Faba Bean

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out under the insect free cage at Gemmeiza Research Station during 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 growing seasons. A diallel cross excluding reciprocals among six parents of faba bean was utilized to study the heterotic effects based on the mid and better parent, as well as general and specific combining ability. Results showed significant differences between parents, F1's and F2's for all studied traits and these differences may be mainly due to the genetic diversity of the parents. The parents and their crosses would be interesting and prospective for improving seed yield and its components in faba bean. Based on the two estimates of heterotic effects (over mid and better parent), four , fifteen , twelve , twelve, eleven and three crosses exhibited significantly positive heterotic effects for plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, seed yield/plant and 100-seed weight, respectively. The parental genotype P6 (Misr1x(Nubaria 1xTW)) was a good combiner for days to flowering, plant height, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant and seed yield/plant over F1 and F2 generations. On the other hand, the parental genotype p4 (Misr1 x (ILB938 x Triple white) was a good combiner for number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant and seed yield/plant over F1 and F2 generations. Results revealed that the two crosses (P2XP5) and (P3XP6) expressed positive and significant SCA effects for number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, seed yield/plant and 100-seed weight.