Generation Mean Analysis for Estimating Gene Action, Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression in Yield and Foliar Disease Resistance in Three Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Crosses

This study was conducted at the Sakha Agricultural Research Station farm over three growing seasons (2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22) to introduce new faba bean genotypes possessing high yield potential and increased resistance to foliar diseases. The research involved six populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) from three crosses (Cross-1: Santamora x Foal Sbai Labiade, Cross-2: Santamora x Misr 3, and Cross-3: Cairo 4 x Misr 3), analyzed using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Generation mean analysis revealed significant mid and better parent heterosis for most traits, indicating over-dominance. Inbreeding depression manifested negatively for chocolate spot and rust diseases but positively for seed count and seed yield per plant across all crosses. Non-allelic interactions were present for all traits, and dominance gene effects were more influential than additive gene effects for most traits. Mean performance analysis showed that F1 populations had lower disease reactions, but higher yields compared to the better parent, while F2 populations displayed greater genetic variability due to segregation. Heterosis was significant for yield and its components across all crosses but less beneficial for disease resistance. Inbreeding depression was significant and negative for disease reactions but positive for yield traits. The study found high broad-sense heritability for all traits, suggesting potential for phenotypic selection. Narrow-sense heritability values were moderate for qualitative traits and lower for quantitative traits. Genetic advance under selection indicated the highest gains were associated with moderate heritability values. Significant non-allelic interactions suggested the need for specific breeding strategies, with dominance gene effects more pronounced than additive effects. These findings support the feasibility of selecting high-yielding, disease-resistant faba bean genotypes through targeted breeding methods, aligning with previous research on the genetic inheritance of these traits.