Effect of spraying time and concentration of liquid fertilizer on the growth and yield of broad bean (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in autumn season of 2018–19 at farmers’ field in Azzawi area of Babil province in Iraq. The experiment was conducted in split-split plot randomized complete block design. The treatment combinations consisting of two broad bean varieties viz., V1 (LUZ De Otono) and V2 (Aqaudulce), three dates of liquid fertilizer spray i. e. D1(15th November, 2018), D2(15th December, 2018) and D3(15th January, 2019) and three concentrations of liquid fertilizers i. e. F0(No spray, control), F1(10 mg/l) and F2 (20 mg/l) were allotted in experimental plots with complete randomization. The growth and yield parameters of faba bean were significantly affected by varieties, liquid fertilizer application time and concentration. The number of pods per plant significantly increased from 15.73 under F0 treatment of liquid fertilizer spray concentration to 27.22 pods per plant under F3 spray concentration. The weight of 100 seeds significantly increased from 52.43 g in V2 variety under F0 treatment of liquid fertilizer spray concentration to 85.17 g under F2 treatment in V1 variety. The seed yield per plant significantly increased from 47.63 g under F0 liquid fertilizer spray concentration to 59.49 g under F3 treatment. The protein content in seed of faba bean significantly increased from 22.91% under F0 liquid fertilizer spray concentration to 23.71% under F2 treatment. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that faba bean variety LUZ De Otono can be grown successfully in Azzawi area of Babil province in Iraq.