Genetic variation among Egyptian cultivars of Vicia faba L.

Nine Egyptian cultivars of Vicia faba were analyzed using electrophoretic and quantitative data from seed albumins and globulins and 100 seeds weight to measure genetic variation among faba bean cultivars in Egypt. Wide genetic variation was indicated for all the traits studied. The elctrophoregrams showed identity profile for each cultivar supporting the validity of electrophoresis of seed protein components in cultivar identification and assessing genetic variation in Vicia faba and other out-breeding plants at the infra-specific level. Negative correlation was indicated between seed globulins and both seed albumins and seed weight. Principal component analysis and cluster analyses indicated higher role of seed albumins over seed globulins in genetic variation within Vicia faba in Egypt.