Inheritance of some quantitative traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) using half diallel crosses

Abstract

A half diallel set of crosses among six inbred lines of faba bean has performed at Terbol research station (ICARDA)- Lebanon، during 2013/2014 season to study the combining ability effects for the following traits: seed yield، 100 seed weight، seeds per plant، seeds per pod and days to flowering. The variance of lines and crosses was highly significant for all studied traits. General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variance was significant for all studied traits except GCA mean squares for seeds per plant. The σ 2 GCA/σ2 SCA ratios were detected for all traits under research and showed that additive gene action was more important than non-additive gene action in controlling hundred seed weight trait، while results indicated that days to flowering, no. of seeds per plant, no. of seeds per pod and seed yield traits were controlled by non-additive gene action. Two parental lines P1 (Riena planca) and P2 (Aquadolc) recorded good general combining ability for seed yield trait. Four hybrids showed good specific combining ability for seed yield, the cross P1 × P2 (Aquadolce × Riena planca) considered the best for seed yield.