Depth and Sowing Rate as Factors Affecting the Development, Plant Density, Height and Yielding for Two Faba Bean (Vicia faba L. Var. Minor) Cultivars

Waldemar Helios,Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska,Marcin Kozak,Anna Jama-Rodzeńska,Leszek Kuchar,Piotr Zarzycki,Andrzej Kotecki

doi:10.3390/agriculture11090820

Waldemar Helios, Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090820

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Abstract

Sowing depth and density are factors which affect development and yielding due to their influence on plants’ competition for water, light and nutrients. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of sowing depth (5 and 8 cm) and density (45, 60, 75 seeds m2) on the development and yield of two morphotypes of faba bean. Higher plants were found at 8 cm sowing depth in 2011 and 2013, in turn, plant density before harvest, at 5 cm in 2011 and 8 cm in 2013. The greatest seed yield was observed while sowing shallower in 2011 (4.50 t ha−1) and 2012 (6.62 t ha−1), and deeper in 2013 (3.53 t ha−1). Cultivar played in important role in shaping plant height and seed yield in all years of the experiment, as well as in straw yield in 2012. Bobas characterized by the greatest seed productivity in all years of experiment compared to Granit, as well as quantity of straw yield in 2011 and 2012 (3.51 and 4.88 t ha−1, respectively) and therefore can be recommended for cultivation. Taking into account plant density before harvest in 2011–2013 as well as straw yield in 2011 and 2013, the most favorable sowing density is 75 seeds per m2.

Highlights

Faba bean (V. faba L.) is the fourth most important pulse crop in the world used for grain, vegetables, animal feed, and green manure cultivated in 58 countries over a large area [1,2].The genotypes of V. faba are classified into three main botanical varieties according to seed size: V. faba var. major with large seeds, V. faba var. minor with small seeds, and V. faba var. equina with medium seeds [3]
Faba bean (V. faba L. var. minor), next to peas and lupins, is a traditional Fabaceae crop grown in Poland and its productivity in such weather conditions can be promising
It can be recommended to cultivate in conditions of south-west Poland

Summary

Introduction

Faba bean (V. faba L.) is the fourth most important pulse crop in the world used for grain, vegetables, animal feed, and green manure cultivated in 58 countries over a large area [1,2].The genotypes of V. faba are classified into three main botanical varieties according to seed size: V. faba var. major with large seeds, V. faba var. minor with small seeds, and V. faba var. equina with medium seeds [3]. Faba bean (V. faba L.) is the fourth most important pulse crop in the world used for grain, vegetables, animal feed, and green manure cultivated in 58 countries over a large area [1,2]. The genotypes of V. faba are classified into three main botanical varieties according to seed size: V. faba var. Major with large seeds, V. faba var. Minor with small seeds, and V. faba var. Equina with medium seeds [3]. Faba bean seed size is an important trait in determining market and consumption forms. Major is commonly used for food (either as fresh green vegetable or dry seeds). Seeds of the faba bean are regarded as a valuable protein crop, which ranks seventh in terms of protein source found in legumes [4]

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