MOLECULAR, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL MARKERS ASSISTED SELECTION FOR SALT-TOLERANT IN SOME EGYPTIAN FABA BEAN VARIETIES

Salinity stress is one of the most serious abiotic factors limiting faba bean productivity. The faba bean is an important legume crop because it can give a high yield, and its grains are full of nutrients. This study aims to select by several markers the best variety that adapts to salt stress. Three varieties of Vicia faba (Nubaria-1, Nubaria-3, and Nubaria-4) were used in this study. Plant growth parameters, cell membrane stability, photosynthesis pigments and protein profile analysis were measured as indices for salinity responses. As a molecular marker, this study used ten ISSR primers to assess the genetic diversity of three varieties. Conditions of control and salinity stress were used for all determinations. The results indicated that the Nubaria3 variety had the most effective traits regarding root characteristics and the ability to develop well under salt conditions compared to the other varieties. Protein-profile changes increased in band numbers and intensity, and its expression continued under salinity conditions as appeared with Nubaria-3 and Nubaria-4. Polymorphism and phylogenetic relationship among varieties were investigated by ISSR molecular markers and 22.43% polymorphism was detected, with the highest percentage of genetic similarity between Nubaria-3 and Nubaria-4 reached 73%. As a result, Nubaria-3 could be chosen as a tolerant variety in a subsequent investigation to explore the most essential genes associated with salt tolerance compared to the sensitive variety.