Systems for Cytogenetic Analysis in Vicia Faba L.: Proceedings of a Seminar in the EEC Programme of Coordination of Research on Plant Productivity, held at Wye College, 9–13 April 1984

Unlike the situation in the major cereals, the yields of Vicia faba have not been markedly increased during the last half century. There is no single cause for this but among those that have been important is the lack of cytogenetic understanding in relation to breeding performance. Since as a consequence, little genetic variation has been available to agronomists conclusions, probably unwarranted, have been drawn about the limited prospects for the faba bean. Against such a background it has been difficult to justify the investment of research resources in the crop. The central theme of this book is that with the establishment of cytogenetic studies in Vicia faba understanding of its genetic system will develop in relation to breeding improvement and thereafter some at least, of the impediments to yield increase can steadily though not dramatically, be removed. We have distinguished between longer and shorter papers and only the former include Abstracts. The latter amplify themes in the longer papers or were written to develop particular topics at the request of the editors. G.P. Chapman S.A. Tarawali Wye College, April, 1984 VIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the various contributors to this publication for the readiness with which they have met our various req~ests. Our thanks are due to the staff of the Centre for European Agricultural Studies for facilitating arrangements for the Seminar and to Mr. Peter Abott and Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen) Ltd. for the display of microscopes.

Table of Contents:
Papers.- Vicia faba cytogenetics and breeding: an introduction.- 1. Intact and Broken Chromosomes.- Chromosome Manipulation.- C-Banding in Vicia species.- Pretreatment of Vicia faba root tip meristems with low clastogen doses protects against aberration induction by subsequent treatments: Induction of repair processes?.- Karyotype analysis of a mutant of Vicia faba L. by micro-densitometric procedure.- 2. Trisomics and Linkage.- The cytology and morphology of Vicia faba trisomics.- 3. Disease Resistance.- A note on the I.L.B. source of Botrytis fabae resistance.- Identification of some sources of resistance for chocolate spot and rust in faba beans.- Phytoalexin production by Vicia faba — a model system for the study of gene expression.- A note on disease interaction in host plants of Vicia faba.- 4. Population.- The use of isoenzymes as marker genes in the population genetics of Vicia faba L..- Standards employed in distinctness, uniformity and stability tests of faba bean cultivars.- 5. Interspecies Hybridisation.- Development of a model system to explore genome divergence in the Vicieae.- Interspecies hybridisation in Vicia section Faba: composition of selfed and hybrid embryos and endosperm..- A note on interspecific hybridisation between Vicia narbonensis and its relatives.- 6. Haploidy.- A note on haploidy.- 7. Mutant Physiology.- A note on two contrasted growth forms of faba bean.- Progress and problems in breeding for high seed protein through mutations in Vicia faba in Egypt.- 8. Conclusions.- Conclusions of the Second International Vicia faba Cytogenetics Review Meeting.- Genetic variation in Vicia faba.