Genetic diversity among palestinian faba bean (Vicia faba L.) ecotypes based on single nucleotide polymorphisms

The present study is the first attempt to establish a SNP database for Palestinian faba bean accessions, in order to evaluate the relationships among them and the genetic diversity present. A total of 17 faba bean accessions (13 local and four supplied by ICARDA), were considered using a SNP assay in the coding region of the actin gene. Subsequently, five SNPs were detected, with an average frequency of 1 SNP every 139 bp, showing thereby a higher polymorphism compared with other legume crops. Cluster analysis with UPGMA revealed five groups of faba bean accessions, somehow reflecting their origin. This is a first evaluation of the use of SNP in the characterization of Palestinian faba bean genetic resources for their conservation and future utilization.