Genetic Diversity in Some Vicia faba L Cultivars by it DNA Barcode, (Scot) Polymorphic Markers and Protein Profile

Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is among the earliest domesticated legumes and remains a vital protein source for both human diets and animal feed, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. Despite its importance, the global cultivated area of this crop has gradually decreased without significant improvements in yield or stability. Limited availability of cultivars resistant to diseases and environmental stresses continues to restrict productivity. Understanding and exploiting genetic  diversity is therefore essential for effective breeding strategies. In this work, seven Egyptian faba bean cultivars were evaluated using three complementary approaches: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA barcoding, Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers, and seed storage protein profiling. Analysis
of polymorphic bands generated by SCoT primers, followed by cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and multivariate heatmap visualization, revealed three major cultivar groups corresponding to the Sakha, Nubaria, and Giza lines. The groupings were consistent with results obtained from ITS barcoding. Protein variation assessed through SDS-PAGE further confirmed the presence of intra-specific diversity. Overall, the study demonstrates substantial genetic differentiation among the examined cultivars and highlights valuable resources that can be exploited in future breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield and resilience.