Genotypic response of faba bean to water stress

Author： Ricciardi L. Polignano G.B. De Giovanni C.

ISSN： 0014-2336

Source： Euphytica, Vol.118, Iss.1, 2001-03, pp. : 39-46

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Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) improvement programs in the Mediterranean area aim to select genotypes showing high and stable yields. Water stress is a main factor limiting faba bean yields and, as for other crops, new parameters of selection (morphological, physiological and biochemical) are being tested to identify genotypes tolerant to water stress. This study reports the response of eight faba bean improved populations and two cultivars to water stress. All genotypes were grown in large containers protected from rainfall by a transparent plastic covering and subjected to simulated water stress. In non-stress and stress conditions, water status was recorded by means of leaf water potential (LWP) and stomatal resistance (Rs) measurements. Furthermore, genotypes were evaluated for the main bio-agronomic traits, abscisic acid content, and an index of genotype susceptibility to water stress was calculated. Finally, in order to obtain useful information on selection criteria to use in breeding programs for tolerance to water stress, a correlation analysis among traits was performed. The results showed LWP and Rs measurements were useful in describing the simulated water stress, but were not very suitable for discriminating genotypes with tolerance to water stress. The use of the genotype susceptibility index was effective in estimating different genotypic responses to water stress, while the abscisic acid (ABA) determinations did not provide any useful information about the efficacious utilization of this parameter in programs of breeding for tolerance to water stress.