The Use of Seed Isoenzymes as an AId to the Breeding of Field Beans (Vicia Faba L.)

S ummary A rapid and economical method has been developed for identifying inbred lines and detecting crossing between them. It employs non‐specific esterase and glutamate‐oxaloacetate transaminase isoenzyme patterns of cotyledon extracts, separated by electrophoresis on acrylamide gels. Isoenzyme patterns were genotype‐specific and stable from plants grown in a range of environmental conditions. The potential value of these isoenzymes as markers for genotype identification and measurement of outcrossing is illustrated and discussed in relation to the breeding of field beans.