Inheritance of faba bean resistance to Broomrape, genetic diversity and QTL mapping analysis

Six faba bean parents and their F₁ and F₂ generations were used in this investigation to study the genetic system controlling resistance of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to broomrape (Orobanche crenata). Most of the F₁ hybrids were tolerant to broomrape. In the F₂ generation, the population P₅ × P₆ (Assiut 125 × Romy 12) gave the highest value of relative yield and tolerance index. Heterosis and inbreeding depression were only positive in number of tillers/plant and seed yield/plant characters. The results indicated that the additive effect was more important than the dominance one (D > H₁) only for No. of pods/plant in the F₁ generation. Moreover, the narrow-sense heritability was low for most of the studied traits. Three molecular marker systems, namely RAPD, ISSR and SRAP were used for identification and estimation of the genetic diversity among the six faba bean genotypes. The three molecular markers generated DNA unique bands for all genotypes. Only, eight DNA fragments were related to Orobanche tolerance. Clearly and reproducible polymorphic markers were subjected to QTL analysis. The linkage analysis showed that, out of 34 marker loci segregated in the F₂ population, 29 (85.29%) were mapped on three linkage groups. QTL analysis using SIM method performed for the 29 markers assigned to LG-1, LG-2 and LG-3 with the eight traits, number of tillers/plant, plant height, number of pods/plant, seed yield/plant, number of broomrape spikes per plant, height of broomrape spikes, relative yield and tolerance index, showing 12 putative QTLs for all traits except number of tillers/plant. From this study, it is clear that P₅ × P₆ (Assiut 125 × Romy12) population could be considered promising for selection for resistance to broomrape infestation.