Management of Vicia faba genetic resources:: changes associated to the selfing process in the major, equina and minor groups

Conserving Vicia faba germplasm as a pure line collection requires reliable information of the selfing process. Previous knowledge about the effects of selfing was elaborated on the context of new data. In our study we increased the number of entries, 95 entries from the major, equina and minor groups were studied. The selfing process has been quantified by means of univariate as well as multivariate techniques. Effects of selfing on floral, yield and yield distribution traits were investigated by comparing two levels of selfing in open pollination conditions and in cages to exclude insects. Univariate analysis shows that selfing process results in plants with lower seeds per plant, seeds and ovules per pod and pod length. As selfing progressed there was change in yield distribution traits, the number of the lowest pod bearing node, the number of nodes between the first flower and the first pod increase and the number of nodes with pods decreases. Multivariate analysis indicates that: a) self-pollination profoundly influences plants performance and the three levels of selfing studied are clearly different; b) There is continuum pattern of change from one level of selfing to the another; c) The main characteristics that contributed to the separation among the levels of selfing varies with the botanical group. d) There was no significant contribution to the discrimination among levels of selfing of number of seeds per plant in the major group. Our results are relevant to the management of faba bean germplasm collections and enhance the formulation of integrated strategies of faba bean germplasm multiplication.