Yara Amer Zarba1*
1 Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Latakia, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Yara Amer Zarba, Email: yara.zarba@latakia-univ.edu.sy phone: 0992470255)
Received: 6/ 12/ 2025 Accepted: 26/ 3/ 2026
Abstract:
Five introduced common bean (Vicia faba) genotypes (AGUADOLCE LB 1266 GIZE. 461, Baladi, Cypriot, and Spanish) were evaluated, obtained from the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. During the 2024 planting season, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was used to select the most productive varieties as improved, high-yielding varieties for the region. The remaining varieties with specific traits were also used as germplasm based on their superiority over local varieties for future breeding programs. The results indicated that common bean genotypes differed in a number of valuable characteristics due to their genetic and geographical variation. No single genotype contained all or most of the desired traits, due to the positive or negative correlation between the genes controlling the traits. The Spanish variety outperformed all studied varieties in pod length, number and weight of seeds per pod, and seed weight per plant. The Cypriot variety also significantly outperformed the local variety in early flowering characteristics, and the Giza461 and Spanish genetic varieties in ripening characteristics, and all studied varieties in terms of pod weight and 100-seed weight. In addition, the overall heritability values for productivity and its components were high. The studied traits are associated with high genetic progress and can be used as selection indicators in subsequent breeding efforts. Selection for seed yield can be achieved through selection for 100-seed weight and number of pods per plant, given their positive correlation. Furthermore, the high degree of heritability of these traits is dominant, with acceptable genetic advance.
Keywords: Genetic progression, degree of heritability, normal faba beans, correlation coefficient.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF