Genetics of tannin content and its relationship with flower and testa colours in Vicia faba

SUMMARY Tannin content of the testa was estimated in crosses among six Vicia faba lines of diverse origin using the vanillin-HCl method. Additive genetic variance was predominant in the inheritance of tannin content. Two white-flowered parents possessed different genetic information for tannin content when the pleiotropic effect of genes for white flowers was eliminated. The genes controlling red testa ( r ), spotted flower ( Sdp ) and yellow pigment on the flower ( yf ) negatively influenced tannin content in the testa. Breeding for low tannin content in Vicia faba is feasible and selection can be based on plants with yellow-spotted flowers and red testas.