Pollination, Fertilization and Floral Traits Co-Segregating with Autofertility in Faba Bean

Abstract

Heterotic autofertility in faba bean has been investigated in cultivars, inbred lines and F1 populations but not in segregating generations. This study evaluated the association between autofertility and floral components in the presence of different levels of heterosis in segregating generations, derived from two inbred lines – autofertile line Kristall 25 (K25) and autosterile line Diana 07 (D07). The autofertile populations had fewer pollen grains, greater style-ovary angle, longer style, lower papillae density than autosterile ones. The rate of flower bud growth and the release of exudate were considered to be related to protogyny of autofertile materials. Pod setting and fertilization values of autosterile bulks were significantly lower than those of autofertile ones, however, the latter had higher percentage of seeds and inbred embryos abortion. Autofertility was due to a range of complex components, not just one or two, the inheritance of which should be taken into consideration when developing sel...