Collection, evaluation and classification of Greek populations of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Fifty-five Greek Vicia faba L. populations, collected from diverse areas, were planted at two dry and low fertility sites for evaluation and classification. Yield evaluation, which was carried out by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the basis of seven yield traits, showed the number of pods per plant, number of ovules and seeds per pod, and branching from the basal nodes to be the most important traits for population evaluation regarding yield. For population classification, four dissimilarity coefficients (Manhattan, Average Taxonomic Distance, Euclidean distance and squared Euclidean distance) and four multivariate methods (PCA, UPGMA, Neighbor-joining and Principal Coordinate Analysis) were evaluated using fifteen morphological and seven yield traits. Neighbor-joining was chosen as the most suitable multivariate method. This method combined with PCA for the seven yield traits, placed the populations into six groups. As revealed by the application of PCA on all twenty-two traits the grouping was based mainly on pod characteristics, stem thickness, plant height, 1000 seed weight and branching from basal nodes. Based on the results of the present study, a model is proposed for conserving cross-pollinated species, such as faba bean.