Comparison of Three Selection Methods for Yield and Components of Three Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Crosses

Three faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cross populations, i.e. Giza 40/Giza 3 (Cross No.1), Slaim/Giza 3 (Cross No.2) and Slaim/311/1170/81 (Cross No.3), were made for selection by three methods, i.e. Mass selection (MSM), pedigree selection (PSM) and Picking-pod (PPM) from F to F generation during 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2 4 2007/2008 seasons at Mattana Agricultural Research Station, ARC, Isna, Qena Governorate. The F progenies 4 of the three crosses were evaluated for yield and its components to compare the three selection methods. Results indicated differences (P<0.01) among the three methods for all measured traits in the three crosses except for 100-seed weight in Cross No.2 (P<0.05) and for days to maturity (Cross No.3) which was insignificant. For three selection methods, F progenies had the highest means for all traits in all crosses except for days to 4 maturity, plant height and 100-seed weight compared to F progenies. The mean values for pods/plant, 2 seeds/plant, seed yield/plant and 100-seed weight in cross No.1 and for plant height, pods/plant, seeds/plant and seed yield/plant in cross No.2 and for plant height, pods/plant, seeds/plant and seed yield/plant in cross No.3 were higher by PSM than MSM and PPM. Therefore, PSM was found to be the best method for faba bean breeding for higher yield compared to the other two methods. Correlation study indicated that, seed yield/plant was highly positive correlated with day to maturity, branches/plant, pods/plant and seeds/plant under MSM and with days to maturity and pods/plant under PSM and with pods/plant and seeds/plant under PPM. Thus, these traits could be considered as a selection criteria for higher seed yield/plant in faba bean under each of selection method. It was concluded that PSM is a preferable method for improvement yielding ability in faba bean and is recommended for faba bean breeding. Further days to maturity and pods/plant could be used as a selection criteria for higher seed yield under this method.