An overview of Vicia faba role in ecosystems sustainability and perspectives for its improvement

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) that is grown world-wide as a protein source for food and feed also offers ecosystem services such as N2 fixation and enhancement of wild fauna diversity such as bee-pollinators and other beneficial organisms. Thus, it helps to mitigate the pollinator decline and it is recognized that also contributes to pest control not only in the crop itself but also in the neighbouring/associated crops by attracting predators and parasitoids. Despite this importance, the global faba bean cultivation area has declined due to its low yield performance and susceptibility to biotic and abiotic factors. To face these constraints, it is relevant to implement adequate breeding programs using the available germplasm and always taking in consideration the pollination and mating system of faba bean. The aim of this paper is 1) to review the role of faba bean in cropping systems; 2) to assess the applicability of different molecular markers to understand the genetic diversity of faba bean germplasm; 3) to analyse the role of pollination and the mixed-mating system underpinning breeding strategies; 4) to assess the natural enemies affecting faba bean and to analyse the genetic sources of resistance to them.