Twenty five faba bean (Vicia faith L) genotypes were used in thisstudy. The field experiments were conducted during 2000/0 1, 200 1/02 and
2002103 seasons at three locations i.e. two experiments under naturally heavily
infested soil with Orobanche (sick plots) at (liza and Sida Agricultural Research
Stations in addition to Orohanche-free one at Skis Station. ARC. The pooled
analysis indicated the genotype, environment and genotype X environment
interactions mean squares were highly significant ard the highly significant of
pooled deviation for number of pods, seeds and seed yield/plant, indicated that the
major components dilhrences for stability were due to deviation from the linear
function. It was concluded from the data that Faba bean new lines i.e.
843/41/2000, 843/I 90/2(H)0, Miar 1/116/2000, Misr 1/12112000, Misr 1/122/2000
and Miar 1/139/2000 arc genetically average stable, also these genotypes gave
highest mean values for all traits and significantly more than their original
cultivars.
،NTROI)1JCTION Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important crop which can
be used as pulse, vegetable, fodder, green manure and as a cover crop. Faba bean
crop is essential in farming system tu increase soil fertility where it is an
important protein supplier to the soil. Broomrape (Cfrohanche crenala Forak.) is
obligate hub root parasite. This parasite is one of the major constraints to faba
bean production in the Mediterranean basin. The losses in faba bean seed yield
due to broomrapcs infection in Mediterranean area were 5 — 33 % in Egypt, 50 —
100% in Malta, 12 — 63% in Morocco and 30 — 70% in Turkey as reported by
Sauerborn and S.xcn 1986. In Beni-Suef and Istnailia Governorates MuIIcr-Staer et
aI. j 1999) found that half of the interviewed farmers cnncdered Qrohanche to he a
problem on their farmers. Producing varieties with htgh yielding ability has
always been the first and the foremost among plant breeders objectives hut, such
high yielding varieties have to be characterized by relative resistance to biotic and
abiotc stress, hence, the genotypic stability for seed yield is predominant
importance in faba bean especially when genotypes are tested over a series f
environments, locations and years. Genotype X environment interaction play a
significant role in the phcnoiypic performance of a variety and in the success of
any breeding programmes for the development of genetic stocks adapted to wide
range geographical areas. Comstock and Molt (1963) have shown statistically the
effect of large genotype X environment interactions in reducing progress from
selection. [o overcome this problem, there are two possible strategies for plant
breeder to develop varieties showing low genotype X eiwiromnent interaction,
iiamcly (a) the subdivision of heterogeneous area, for which the varieties are
being bred. ‘into smaller regions, each of them has a more homogenous
environment and its own characteristic varieties, and (b) the introduction of
varieties which show a high degree of stability in performance over a wide range
of environments. The first strategy is not likely to be very effective since large
interactions of genotypes with locations could still exist even in a subregion |
