Increasing the yield and nutritional value of faba beans is one of the main objectives of the common bean cultivar improvement programs due to its contribution to terminate protein deficiency malnutrition in developing countries and raising the income level of smallholder farmers. In this study, the technological quality of bean seeds from twenty-four genotypes were evaluated (twenty germplasm and four improved cultivars (Misr 1, Giza 429, Giza 716, Giza 843). The results showed a significant diversity in the Egyptian bean germplasm in their quality traits compared to the control cultivars and indicated that the genotypes had a high hydration coefficient that ranged between (98.6-112.4%). While most of the genotypes for cotyledons to hull ratio met the commercial criteria that ranged between (7.41-6.41%). Twenty genotypes had the highest total soluble solids (6.90-11.78%) and were superior to the control cultivars. The seeds chemical composition analysis showed that the genotypes differed in their composition such as protein (26.65 to 30.72 %.), carbohydrate (58.00 to 62.25%), tannin (70.67 to 157.45%), phenols (35.23-51.02 %), and moisture (9.15 to 10.45%).

Germination traits are the key factor in higher productivity of crops. Thus, laboratory tests were made to enhance the germination of the seeds. One of the best strategies to promote seed germination was soaking the seeds in water and Moringa leaves extracts (MLE.) before planting. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the optimal soaking duration to enhance seed germination and seedling growth of hybrid 178 maize. There were three soaking durations; 12 hours, 16 hours, and 20 hours, along with the un-treatment (0 hour or without soaking). While the other factor was the concentration of the soaking seeds solution in Moringa leaves extract which was (0.25, 0.5 and 1.00 g) at the ratio of 1:10 (w/v) beside to hydro-priming (soaking in water) and control (un-treatment), each with four replications. Seed germination (%), germination index (GI), germination speed index (SGI), germination rate (GR, day), mean germination rate (MGR, day), seedling shoot length (cm), seedling root length (cm), seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g), seedling dry weights, (g) seedling vigor 1 (SV1) and seedling vigor 2 (SV2) were evaluated. Results showed that maximum value germination traits were found in hybrid 178 of Maize which soaked at 20 hours of duration, followed by soaked at 16 hours then at 12 hours soaking compared with un-soaked seed. The germination and seedling characters, improved with soaking in Moringa leaves extract. 0.25 g/mm MLE. was the best treatment, followed by 0.5 (g) and hydro-priming gave higher values, as to seed germination and seed vigour compared with other treatment. Field emergence experiment gave the best values for dry weight(g) and seedling vigour (SVII) with 0.25 g/mm then 0.5 g/mm and hydro-priming under soaked seed to 20 hour com. This suggests that soaking in Moringa leaves extract as 0.25 concentrate under 20 hour soaking was a suitable treatment that can improve germination and seedling growth in hybrid 178 maize.