Variability in the Contribution of Male and Female to Cross- Fertilization in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the dispersal of
own pollen and acceptance of foreign pollen in some faba bean (Vicia
faba L.) lines using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. It was
carried out on four lines at Goettingen, Germany, in 2001 season. The
lines' introgressive cross-fertilization (acceptance of foreign pollen)
ranged from 18.9% to 46.9% with a mean of 31.2%. The mean dispersive
cross-fertilization (i.e., contribution to introgressive cross-fertilization of
the others) varied from 7.4% to 13.0%; indicating that there may be
genetic differences as to these features. The importance of studying both
pollen dispersal and pollen input in faba bean breeding programmes is
discussed.