R. C. Bharati

Improvement of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) yield and quality through biotechnological approach: A review

Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.), an old-world grain legume, is grown approximately in 3 m/ha area world-wide from temperate, tropical to hot arid conditions. It is such a wonderful legume that it can excel even under adverse soil conditions; acidic or saline alkaline (pH 4.5 to 9.0). In favourable conditions, it gives very high yields, but low yield may result from biotic and abiotic stress. In India, it is still treated as minor legume. Genetic transformation based on Agrobacteria is possible. Several random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to a gene determining hypersensitive resistance to race 1 of the rust ( Uromyces viciae-fabae ) have been reported. Molecular breeding for resistance to broomrape, Ascochyta blight, rust, and chocolate spot have been obtained. The use of marker assisted selection (MAS) can complement conventional breeding by speeding up the selection of desirable traits and increasing selection efficiency. Recently, markers linked to a gene controlling growth habit or to select against traits affecting the nutritional value of seeds have also been reported. Lack of suitable cultivar can be easily overcome by application of modern tools and techniques. Several in-vitro techniques would be very useful for faba bean breeding. New techniques such as protoplast fusion, regeneration, and embryo-rescue assisted interspecific crossing could probably be introduced to V. faba L. to improve yield and quality. This review work examines the role of various techniques with reference to faba bean improvement. Key words: Vicia faba , faba bean, grain quality, resistance breeding, nitrogen fixation, zero tannin.

Potential of Residual Sulfur and Zinc Nutrition in Improving Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) Disease Tolerance of Lentil (Lens culunaris L.)

Lentil (Lens culunaris L.) is one of the major sources of protein and the second most important legume crop of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in India. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) is one of the important fungal diseases of lentil that affects the entire plant and causes great reduction in yield and quality of seed. Mineral nutrition, especially with sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn), plays a great role in powdery mildew management. A research trial was conducted from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011 at ICAR Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna, India, to ascertain the role of residual sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in powdery mildew management in lentil under a rice–lentil cropping system. A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Four levels of S and Zn were tested. Sulfur and Zn were applied directly to rice crop as basal application and the residual response of lentil was ascertained in the rice–lentil cropping system. Powdery mildew disease index was prepared and it was noticed that plots treated with 40 kg sulfur + 5 kg Zn had less powdery mildew disease index (5.5%). Significantly greater disease index (15.5%) was documented in the fields where both the nutrients were not applied. Maximum lentil seed yield (1147 kg ha−1) was recorded with 30 kg residual S, whereas minimum seed yield (1015 Kg ha−1) was noticed with no application of S in the previous crop in the cropping system.