Evaluation of Genetic Variability in Broad Bean Genotypes (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

During the Rabi season of 2022-23, 18 broad bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes obtained from ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, were assessed for 18 agronomic and nutritional traits at Research Farm-1, Department of Horticulture, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. The trial followed a randomised block design with three replications. Analysis of variance detected highly significant differences among all genotypes for every trait, demonstrating substantial variation within the experimental material. For each character, phenotypic variance exceeded genotypic variance. Relatively large variability was observed for yield-related characters, particularly number of seeds per plant, number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, and 100-seed weight. Broad-sense heritability was very high for number of seeds per plant (99.24%), seed yield per plant (98.26%), and number of pods per plant (98.32%). Several yield-associated traits also showed high genetic advance, indicating their potential usefulness in selection. EC-628940 produced the highest seed yield per plant (29.59 gm) and the greatest number of seeds per plant (60.15), while EC-841577 had the maximum 100-seed weight (110.31 gm) and pod volume (55.09 ml). Taken together, the observed variability, heritability, and genetic advance provide scope for selecting promising broad bean material, although genotype stability requires evaluation across additional environments.