Performance evaluation and genetic parameters of yield traits and their components in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars under the effect of potassium foliar application

• Shatha Moammar Nouman1 and Khalid Khalil Ahmed2

  Author

The purpose of this research is to measure the impact of applying different levels of humic acid through foliar spray on the performance of six varieties of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and to estimate some genetic parameters. This study was carried out on one of the fields belonging to the Kirkuk Irrigation Project in the growing season 2025–2026. The experiment was arranged according to the Split plot Design in RCBD with three repetitions. Main plots were comprised of three treatments (humic acid concentrations): (no spraying, 20 and 40 kg/ha). Sub plots were constituted of six faba beans genotypes (Syrian local large, Sciabola verde, Luz de otono, Aquadulce, Aqualogy, and Yildiz). Results indicated that significant differences have been recorded at 5% probability for genotypes, humic acid treatments, and their interactions concerning all examined traits. Genotype Aqualogy proved its supremacy over other tested genotypes in most characters due to high biological yield (535,735.14) and seed yield (141,031.17) without spraying, together with high genetic variance values. The highest values of genetic variance for biological yield (1,318,325.92) and seed yield (223,416.67) have been achieved due to spraying treatment with humic acid at 20 kg/ha. Thus, it can be concluded that this environment proved its efficiency for the implementation of breeding and selection programs in order to develop faba bean genotypes. Despite significant superiority of 40 kg/ha regarding the yield-related traits, genetic variance for seed yield has been recorded in the value of 473,685.65. All yield-related traits proved their strong broad-sense heritability in high ranges (88.27% number of seeds per pod; 93.16% seed yield; and 63.55% biological yield). Expected genetic advancement reached 18.38% and 16.40% for biological yield and seed yield, respectively, in the second environment, whereas in the first environment, it was 27.14% for number of seeds per pod.

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