Characterization of Faba Bean germplasm under salinity condition

Abstract

newline The present study aimed to characterize faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm under salinity newlineconditions to identify high-yielding and salt-tolerant genotypes. The research was conducted newlineduring the Rabi season of 2023 24 at the Genetics and Plant Breeding Research Farm, newlineAcharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya (U.P.), with newlinemolecular characterization performed at ICAR-National Institute of Seed Science and newlineTechnology (NISST), Mau. The study evaluated 50 faba bean genotypes under both field newlineand artificial salinity conditions, focusing on morphological, physiological, and molecular newlinetraits. newlineMorphological characterization under field conditions revealed significant newlinevariability in traits such as days to 50% flowering, plant height, pod yield, and 100-seed newlineweight. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters, with Cluster I newlineshowing high yield potential and Cluster III exhibiting superior plant architecture. Principal newlinecomponent analysis (PCA) indicated that days to flowering and pod yield contributed most newlineto genetic divergence. Under artificial salinity conditions, traits like shoot length, root length, newlineand ionic balance (Naand#8314;/Kand#8314; ratio) were critical in distinguishing tolerant genotypes. newlineGenotypes such as RFBGP 91, RFBGP 106, and RFBGP 120 demonstrated high pod yield newlineand low Naand#8314;/Kand#8314; ratios, indicating salinity tolerance. newlineMolecular characterization using SSR markers identified polymorphic markers newline(GBSSRVF-113 and GBSSRVF-175) associated with root fresh weight and shoot potassium newlinecontent, providing potential tools for marker-assisted selection. Composite scoring newlineintegrating yield and ionic traits highlighted RFBGP 91, RFBGP 106, and RFBGP 120 as newlinethe most promising genotypes for saline environments. newlineThe findings underscore the genetic diversity among faba bean genotypes and their newlinedifferential responses to salinity stress. The identified high-yielding and salt-tolerant newlinegenotypes can serve as valuable genetic resources for breeding program