Identification of a priori available inbred individuals in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) populations and prediction of their genetic value for breeding

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a partially allogamous grain legume, standing out due to its relatively high seed protein content, its high symbiotic performance and its climatic adaptation. However, its acreage in Germany is relatively low, partly because of yield instability and high seed cost.

Faba bean breeding research recently experienced great progress thanks to the availability of SNP chips, the sequencing of its genome and analyses on the global diversity of the species, allowing the introduction of new breeding approaches.

In this context, the project ‘Abo-Direkt’ aims to invent, develop, test and implement methodological improvements in faba bean breeding. It especially focuses on the development of a cost-efficient and fast method for the identification of a priori existing inbred individuals in faba bean populations, and the estimation of their genetic value through genomic prediction, to ultimately optimize breeding.