Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Germination response of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes to temperature: An assessment of temperature tolerance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Entesar Ghari-Arab 1
Benjamin Torabi 2
Fatemeh Sheikh 3
Elias Soltani 4
Asieh Siahmarguee 5
1 M.Sc. Graduate of Seed Science and Technology, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
3 Associte Professor, Department of Horticulture Crops Research, Agricultural Research and Education and Natural Resource Center of Golestan province, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran
4 Associte Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences, Abureyhan Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
5 Associte Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
10.22077/escs.2026.9527.2372
Abstract
Introduction
Research on faba bean genotypes in Iran is important for understanding germination characteristics and seedling emergence. It is also important to evaluate the genetic diversity among faba bean genotypes and their responses to different stress factors. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (1) assess cumulative germination across various temperatures; (2) determine cardinal temperatures; and (3) evaluate the tolerance of faba bean genotypes to low and high temperatures during the seed germination stage.

Materials and methods
This study evaluated the germination characteristics of 20 faba bean genotypes at six temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C), with three replications. Faba bean seeds were placed on paper towels (45 × 30 cm) soaked in distilled water using the sandwich method, with three replicates of 25 seeds each arranged in five linear rows. Germinated seeds were counted daily at each temperature. A quadratic function was used to describe the relationship between temperature and germination percentage and to estimate the cardinal temperatures for germination. Additionally, a segmented function was used to characterize the relationship between temperature and germination rate and to estimate the cardinal temperatures for germination. To calculate the heat CTRI (H-CTRI) for each genotype, the ratios of the cardinal temperature values for germination percentage (GP) and germination rate (R50) of each genotype to the corresponding maximum cardinal temperature values observed among all genotypes were summed. This calculation allowed the faba bean genotypes to be classified into different temperature tolerance groups. In contrast, the cold CTRI (C-CTRI) was determined by summing the ratios of the minimum values of the cardinal temperatures observed among all genotypes to the corresponding values of each genotype.

Results and discussion
The results showed that the cardinal temperatures for germination percentage ranged from −3.0 to 1.7 °C for the base temperature (Tb), 15.6 to 18.6 °C for the optimum temperature (To), and 33.2 to 38.4 °C for the ceiling temperature (Tc). These cardinal temperatures were estimated using a mathematical model describing the relationship between germination percentage and temperature. Similarly, the cardinal temperatures for germination rate were estimated using a segmented function. The base temperature (Tb) ranged from 1.2 to 5.2 °C, the optimum temperature (To) from 23.0 to 26.1 °C, and the ceiling temperature (Tc) from 31.8 to 36.7 °C. Additionally, H-CTRI values ranged from 2.8 for GF-20 and 2.9 for GF-95 to 4.5 for GF-21. C-CTRI values ranged from 3.0 for GF-21 to 8.0 for GF-12. The genotypes were classified into different temperature-tolerance categories based on their CTRI values. Notably, a strong positive correlation was found between heat tolerance (H-CTRI) and base temperature, whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between cold tolerance (C-CTRI) and base temperature. Interestingly, genotypes with higher H-CTRI values tended to have lower C-CTRI values. This suggests that genotypes with greater heat tolerance may have lower tolerance to cold temperatures.

Conclusion
This study improves our understanding of how faba bean genotypes respond to temperature changes, which is essential for crop performance under climate change. The findings reveal that different genotypes have specific temperature requirements for optimal germination, indicating genetic diversity that could contribute to enhanced production. By considering cardinal temperatures and CTRI values, breeders and farmers can select genotypes that are best suited to their climatic conditions, thereby optimizing yield. Further studies on the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these responses will support the development of faba bean genotypes with improved temperature tolerance. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of breeding programs and crop management practices that consider temperature responses, ultimately contributing to food security and crop resilience under a changing climate.
Keywords
Cardinal temperatures
Cold stress
Germination rate
Genetic variability
Heat stress
Subjects
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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 October 2026

  • Receive Date 01 June 2025
  • Revise Date 22 July 2025
  • Accept Date 27 July 2025