Nutrient Accumulation in Faba Bean Varieties

Abstract

ABSTRACTIncreasing the amount of nutrients in plant-based foods will help to improve the nutritional status of people in the World. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as a staple food in developing countries has the potential to provide many nutrients in human diets. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutrient concentrations in leaf, pod, and seed of faba bean varieties. A field study was conducted with six faba bean varieties. Variation in the elemental concentrations of nutrients and protein occurred among varieties and different parts of the plants. The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, or copper and protein were in the seeds. However, the highest accumulation of calcium, magnesium, iron, or manganese was in the leaves. We recommend that faba bean can be considered as a valuable crop in the diet of nutrient-deficient consumers due to high concentration nutrients in edible parts of the plant.