Faba Bean Yield Research Articles

Assessment of genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed yield and related agronomic traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes in the Northern State, Sudan

Assessment of genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed yield and related agronomic traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes in the Northern State, Sudan

Orobanche Species distribution and severity of infested areas in south and north Wollo zones of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Broomrapes (Orobanche species) are obligate holoparasitic flowering plant. Orobanche species are root parasite which can damage the crops underground before the weed emerged. Complete faba bean yield loss by this weed forced farmers to replace faba bean by cereal crops. The distribution of the weed is increasing annually. To obtain relevant information on the introduction and distribution of the weed, survey was conducted on randomly selected 72 farmers’ fields in 12 woredas in two zones, south and north Wollo. Four woredas, Kutaber, Dessie-zuria, Tenta and Mekidela are out of legumes production in south Wollo. In this survey, information was also gathered regarding farmers attitude and local control practices. Farmers practice is hand weeding but Orobanche shoots were emerged again in doubling and tripling. We cannot stop the dissemination of the weed due to the nature of dispersed agents such as wind, flood, farm machinery, crop seeds, animals, humans etc and the undulating features of the areas are all favorable agents to disperse the minute seeds of the parasitic weed and are beyond our capacity to control them, but we may bring a solution by multi-sector approach through developing resistant varieties using molecular breeding and with chemical control measures.

Effect of faba bean sowing distance and some combinations of mineral nitrogen levels with bio-fertilizers on sugar beet and faba bean productivity under intercropping system

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted at Sakha Agric. Res. Station, Kafer EL-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons to study the relative advantage of intercropping faba bean (variety Giza 643) with sugar beet (variety Geloria) and its impact on yield and quality attributes of both crops. A split plot design with three replications was used. The treatments of faba bean sowing distance (10, 20 and 30 cm) allocated in the main plots, while, the ten combination of nitrogen levels with bio fertilizers (90, 72, 54, 36 kg N/fed., 72, 54, 36 kg N/fed. + Cerealine, 72, 54, 36 kg N/fed. + Rizobacterine) were arranged in sub plots, the obtained results showed that: The planting space of 30 cm gave the greatest values of number of branches/ plant, number of pods /plant, number of seeds/plant, weight of 100 seeds, straw yield/fed., seeds yield/fed., protein percent, root diameter (cm), fresh leaves weight/plant, fresh root weight/plant, dry leaves weight /plant, dry root weight /plant and root yield/fed (ton fed.-1). in both seasons and at number of leaves /plant in the first seasons only, while the planting space of 10 cm recorded the lowest values in all previous characters. The treatment of 36 kg N level showed the lowest values at plant height (cm), number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, weight of 100 seeds (gm), seeds yield (ton fed.-1), protein percent of faba bean, number of leaves /plant, root length (cm), root diameter (cm), fresh leaves weight/plant, fresh root weight/plant, dry leaves weight /plant, dry root weight /plant, root yield/fed (ton fed.-1), sugars percent (%), purity percent and TSS (%) of sugar beet in the two growing seasons, while the treatments both of 90 and 72 kg mineral nitrogen as individual or 72 kg mineral nitrogen in combination with Cerealine or Rizobacterien recorded the highest significant values at all mentioned previous characters in both seasons. The interaction between 30 cm sowing distance of faba bean with both of 90 and 72 kg mineral nitrogen as individual or 72 kg mineral nitrogen in combination with Cerealine or Rizobacterien in both growing seasons recorded the highest values of the all studied characters while, the lowest values of those characters were recorded at the interaction between 10 cm faba bean sowing distance 36 kg mineral nitrogen as individual in both growing seasons. The highest values of Relative yield (RY), LER and net income of faba bean and sugars beet were obtained from the interaction between 30 cm sowing distance of faba bean with both 90 and 72 kg mineral nitrogen as individual or in combination with Cerealine or Rizobacterien in both seasons. It could be concluded that the highest productivity and best total net income of faba bean and sugars beet resulted from planting of faba bean at distance 30 cm under intercropping system with sugar beet with application of 72 kg mineral nitrogen in combination with bio fertilizers (Cerealine or Rizobacterien).

Additive intercropping of wheat, barley, and faba bean with sugar beet: Impact on yield, quality and land use efficiency

Two field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2013 and 2014, at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Main aim was to study the effect of intercropping sugar beet with wheat, barley, and faba bean on the yield and some quality attributes of sugar beet and the used companion crops. In addition, to examine the effectiveness of intercropping using the new index – dry matter equivalent ratio (DMER) - in comparison to the traditional land equivalent ratio (LER) that was also investigated. The field trials were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The three companion crop (wheat, barley, and faba bean) percentages (50, 75, and 100%) were tested in the main plots, while the sub plots were assigned to testing the variations among the seven intercropping patterns. Results revealed that the leaf area (m2), root yield (ton ha-1), harvest index and sugar yield (ton ha-1) of sugar beet were significantly affected by the interaction between the companion crop species and percentage in both seasons. Pure stands of sugar beet were superior in the four traits (leaf area, root yield, harvest index and sugar yield) followed by sugar beet intercropped with the lowest companion crops percentage. Intercropping with cereals (wheat and barley) resulted in slightly better values for these traits than intercropping with faba bean. Grain yields of wheat and barley and seed yield of faba bean reached the maximum in the pure stands and reduced by reducing the intercropping percentages of the three companion crops. On the contrary, number of pods and 100-seed weight of faba bean followed an opposite trend and reduced by increasing the intercropping percentages. Values of LER were greater than 1.00 in any intercropping system of sugar beet with wheat, barley, and faba bean, indicating an advantage of the intercropping patterns for land usage and yield gain. However, when determining the yield gain in terms of DMER, it was found that only in case of intercropping sugar beet with wheat there was a yield gain (DMER > 1). On the other hand, when intercropping sugar beet with barley and faba bean, there was loss in the overall produced yield (DMER < 1), indicating a severe competition between the sugar beet and the two companion crops. The DMER provided more realistic idea about the effect of intercropping, compared to the LER.

Estimates of Genetic Parameters Using Populations in Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.)

To improve yearlings and high potential yield of faba bean. Six populations P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 produced from three faba bean crosses , namely (Giza 429 x Giza 674), (Masr 1 x Giza 674) and (Giza 40 x Giza 402) ) were conducted during three successive winter seasons 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm., Faculty of Agricultural, Al-AzharUniversity (Assiut Branch). Recorded six generations mean days to maturity, branches number, number of pods, plant height per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant were exposed to upgrade test, and six abistatic detection method parameters and estimates of m, d, h, I, j and l parameters. The epistasis genes effects were reveal by the results that cannot be ignored when creating new program of breeding to expand faba bean inhabitants of economic traits. And controls inherit all attributes and non-additive gene effects study added, with a value greater than the influence of genes dominate one in most cases. Among other elements added impact can be solved, i.e. , stabilizer × additive (I) interaction type and was also great and form the chief part of the effects of gene. (H) and (l) the consultation if days to maturity in two crosses, crosses the plant height in three, number one, cross sections and reflects the pods number / plant, 100 seed weight in three crosses and seed yield / plant in two crosses, indicating the duplicate type of interaction is allelic in these qualities. Accidentally discovered a sign and magnitude.

Weed Suppression and Performance of Grain Legumes Following an Irrigated Rice Crop in Southern Australia

Post-rice irrigated soils offer several potential advantages for the growth of subsequent crops, but Australian producers have often been reluctant to grow grain legumes immediately following a rice crop due to physico-chemical constraints. A field experiment was thus conducted to explore the potential for producing grain legumes following rice in comparison to those following a fallow during 2012 and 2013. Two grain legumes, field pea and faba bean, were sown 5, 7 and 12 weeks after rice harvest in 2013 at Yanco, NSW, and plant growth indicators and grain yield were compared. Early sowing of field pea following rice gave the best outcome, with plants flowering three weeks earlier and yielding 1330 kg·ha−1 more grain than after fallow. In contrast, faba bean yield was 35 kg·ha−1 less after rice than after fallow across the three sowing dates. Higher pea yield was consistent with the early emergence of seedlings, higher light interception and overall greater plant growth following rice. Post-rice crops also had 10-fold less weed infestation than crops in a similarly-established fallow treatment and, thus, required far less weed management. Legume crops sown at the later seeding date had significantly reduced (~50%–60%) yields compared to those of the first two sowings; this is most likely a reflection of reduced temperatures and day lengths experienced during vegetative and reproductive growth phases.

Identification and Verification of QTL Associated with Frost Tolerance Using Linkage Mapping and GWAS in Winter Faba Bean.

Frost stress is one of the abiotic stresses that causes a significant reduction in winter faba bean yield in Europe. The main objective of this work is to genetically improve frost tolerance in winter faba bean by identifying and validating QTL associated with frost tolerance to be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS). Two different genetic backgrounds were used: a biparental population (BPP) consisting of 101 inbred lines, and 189 genotypes from single seed descent (SSD) from the Gottingen Winter bean Population (GWBP). All experiments were conducted in a frost growth chamber under controlled conditions. Both populations were genotyped using the same set of 189 SNP markers. Visual scoring for frost stress symptoms was used to define frost tolerance in both populations. In addition, leaf fatty acid composition (FAC) and proline content were analyzed in BPP as physiological traits. QTL mapping (for BPP) and genome wide association studies (for GWBP) were performed to detect QTL associated with frost tolerance. High genetic variation between genotypes, and repeatability estimates, were found for all traits. QTL mapping and GWAS identified new putative QTL associated with promising frost tolerance and related traits. A set of 54 SNP markers common in both genetic backgrounds showed a high genetic diversity with polymorphic information content (PIC) ranging from 0.31 to 0.37 and gene diversity ranging from 0.39 to 0.50. This indicates that these markers may be polymorphic for many faba bean populations. Five SNP markers showed a significant marker-trait association with frost tolerance and related traits in both populations. Moreover, synteny analysis between Medicago truncatula (a model legume) and faba bean genomes was performed to identify candidate genes for these markers. Collinearity was evaluated between the faba bean genetic map constructed in this study and the faba bean consensus map, resulting in identifying possible genomic regions in faba bean which may control frost tolerance genes. The two genetic backgrounds were useful in detecting new variation for improving frost tolerance in winter faba bean. Of the five validated SNP markers, one (VF_Mt3g086600) was found to be associated with frost tolerance and FAC in both populations. This marker was also associated with winter hardiness and high yield in earlier studies. This marker is located in a gene of unknown function.

USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSOILER SHARES TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF COMPACTED SOILS

Soil compaction is an environmental problem and has been recognized as the main form of soil degradation in some Mediterranean areas. Soil compaction may increase soil strength and compacted soil layers can affect root growth and crop productivity. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of using different types of sub-soilers shanks and shares on physical soil properties, seed germination and crop productivity of faba bean (vicia faba). The experiment was carried out at El- Hamam district area- Matrouh in sandy loam soil. The soil was characterizes by hard pan compaction down to 40 cm. Parameters such as changes in soil penetration resistance, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture content were measured. The results revealed that the highest increase of soil penetration resistance and lowest hydraulic conductivity due to the soil compaction occurred in non treated soil with sub-soilers. The seed germination and yield of faba bean increased with decreasing soil penetration resistance. A positive action was detected between using fit equipped mole behind different shanks and shares of the sub-soilers used on both soil penetration resistance, and hydraulic conductivity. The ability to eliminate soil compaction could be useful on agricultural field in the South district of El Hamam canal area by using sub-soiler with mole fit equipped behind shank as well as decreased the effect of the hard pans and improve soil properties such as soil penetration resistance and hydraulic conductivity. The deep tillage gained that the lowest energy requirements were recorded either without using the fit mole equipped or with using single point share with straight shank. However using the curved shank - winged share with mole achieved the highest seed germination values and crop yield as compared with other treatments.

Phosphorus use efficiency of improved faba bean (Vicia faba) varieties in low‐input agro‐ecosystems

AbstractThe use of phosphorus (P)‐efficient legumes is a prerequisite for sustainable intensification of low‐input agro‐ecosystems. A study was undertaken in a farmer's field in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia to assess the agronomic performance, P acquisition efficiency (PAE), and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of six improved faba bean varieties (Vicia faba L. var. CS‐20DK, Degaga, Gebelcho, Moti, Obse, Walki) without and with P application. Varieties showed significant variations in PUE, but P application had no significant effect on PUE. Variety Moti demonstrated highest PUE of 272 kg grain kg−1 P, which was 1.6‐fold higher than the lowest PUE (164 kg grain kg−1 P) of Gebelcho. PUE was significantly and positively correlated with grain yield (r = 0.542) and negatively correlated with shoot PAE (r = –0.541), indicating that PUE is important for grain yield. The results demonstrate that variations in grain and biomass yield of faba beans were largely due to differences in PUE and not due to PAE. Therefore, we argue that genetic resources of faba bean varieties showing optimal agronomic performance and high PUE in low‐input agro‐ecosystems should be better explored. Introduction of such varieties in low‐input cereal‐based cropping systems could improve and enhance P use efficiency at the system level.

Insect pollination reduces yield loss following heat stress in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Global food security, particularly crop fertilization and yield production, is threatened by heat waves that are projected to increase in frequency and magnitude with climate change. Effects of heat stress on the fertilization of insect-pollinated plants are not well understood, but experiments conducted primarily in self-pollinated crops, such as wheat, show that transfer of fertile pollen may recover yield following stress. We hypothesized that in the partially pollinator-dependent crop, faba bean (Vicia faba L.), insect pollination would elicit similar yield recovery following heat stress. We exposed potted faba bean plants to heat stress for 5 days during floral development and anthesis. Temperature treatments were representative of heat waves projected in the UK for the period 2021–2050 and onwards. Following temperature treatments, plants were distributed in flight cages and either pollinated by domesticated Bombus terrestris colonies or received no insect pollination. Yield loss due to heat stress at 30°C was greater in plants excluded from pollinators (15%) compared to those with bumblebee pollination (2.5%). Thus, the pollinator dependency of faba bean yield was 16% at control temperatures (18–26°C) and extreme stress (34°C), but was 53% following intermediate heat stress at 30°C. These findings provide the first evidence that the pollinator dependency of crops can be modified by heat stress, and suggest that insect pollination may become more important in crop production as the probability of heat waves increases.

Effect of Sowing Date and Seed Rate on Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.,) Growth, Yield and Components of Yield at Sinana, Highland Conditions of Bale, Southeastern Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted during 2011-2013 Bona/Meher cropping seasons for three consecutive years to study the direct influence of sowing date, seed rate and their interactions on faba bean. The experiment was laid out in split-plot with randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Four seed rates (175, 200, 225 and 250 kg/ha) were used as main plot and four sowing dates, which begun on the onset of the rain shower and with two week sowing date intervals to the rest three sowing dates were used as a subplot. The results of the three years data revealed that sowing date significantly affected all the tested parameters except 1000 seed weight. Seed yield was declined by 5, 23.3 and 67% from first to the fourth sowing dates respectively. On the other hand, seed rate had no significant effect on all parameters except for plant height. The interaction effect between sowing date and seed rate showed all the tested parameters were significantly affected. The data indicated that the highest plant height, number of pods plant, number of seeds pod, seed yield hectare and 1000 seed weight were obtained at 250 kg/ha with third sowing, 200 kg/ha with first to third sowing, 250 kg/ha with second sowing, 250 kg/ha with first sowing and 175 kg/ha with third sowing date while the minimum value was obtained at fourth sowing date with consecutive seed rates. However, the partial budget analysis showed 175 kg/ha seed rates with early planting gave the highest marginal rate of return (MRR) and it was economical to produce faba bean in highlands of Bale. But, another seed rate experiment will be needed in the future with seed rates of less than 175 kg/ha for conclusive recommendations.

Genetic Variation Within F2 Populations for Some Crosses of Broad Bean (Viciafaba L.)

The present investigation was carried out during the winter seasons of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 under field conditions at Sabahya Horticultural Research Station, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. Plant materials for this study were consisted of 4 parents and 5 second generations, produced from self pollination F2, from five crosses occurred among four cultivars of broad bean (Vicia faba L).The obtained results reflected, generally, all genotypes were showed highly significant differences for all the studied characters. This concept indicated that the evaluated populations differed in their genetic potential with respect to these traits. The mean squares for the parents F2 and PvsF2were significant for most of the studied characters. The obtained data, showed that the parent p1; gave the highest mean values for the following traits: flowering date (day), plant height (cm), pod length (cm), pod weight (gm, number of seeds/pod and seeds weight per pod (g). Heritability estimates were high in flowering date (days), fruiting date (days), height of the first flowering nod (cm), number of branches / plant, pod weight (gm), number of seeds / pod, seeds weight / pod (gm), number of pods / plant and total seeds yield / plant. The relationships were significant and positive between flowering date and fruiting date (days), height of the first flowering nod (cm), height of the first flowering pod(cm), number of pods / plant, and total fresh yield / plant which affect on total yield of broad bean. Regarding path analysis the direct effect of Flowering date (days) date, height of the first flowering pod (cm), plant height (cm) and number of branches / plant seemed to be close to correlations between them and seed yield so, it may indicate a true relationship and direct selection through these traits may be effective for improving seed yield of faba bean.

Effects of phosphorus fertilization and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain on the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

espanolEl experimento de campo fue llevado a cabo en Lihijan, Iran en 2013 con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la aplicacion de fosforo (P) y Pseudomonas fluorescens en el desarrollo y rendimiento de un cultivo de haba. El diseno experimental fue de bloques completos al azar con arreglo factorial 2x3, con tres repeticiones. Los factores experimentales fueron la aplicacion de fosforo (0 y 25 kg ha-1) y cepas de P. fluorescens cepas (no inoculados, cepa 136 y cepa 168). El ANOVA mostro un efecto interactivo significativo de P y cepa de P. fluorescens en altura de la planta, numero de vainas por planta, peso del 100 granos, longitud de vaina y el rendimiento de vaina y grano. SE observo que el numero de granos por vaina se vio afectado significativamente por la aplicacion de fosforo y cepa de P. fluorescens cepa, mientras que el rendimiento del tallo solo fue significativamente afectada por la cepa de P. fluorescens. En ausencia de P, el rendimiento de grano de plantas inoculadas fue igual que en plantas no inoculadas. Enpresencia de P (25 kg ha-1), la cepa 168 mostro un aumento en el rendimiento de grano de 42% y 65%, en comparacion a las plantas inoculadas con la cepa 136 y las plantas no inoculadas, respectivamente. Los resultados sugieren que la aplicacion de fosforo (25 kg ha-1) y la inoculacion de semillas con P. fluorescens cepa 168 se puede recomendar para incrementar el rendimiento de vainas y grano en un cultivo de habas. EnglishA field experiment was conducted in Lihijan, Iran in 2013 to evaluate the effect of phosphorus fertilization (P) and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain on the growth and yield of the faba bean. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with a factorial treatment arrangement and three replicates. The experimental factors were phosphorus application (0 and 25 kg ha-1) and P. fluorescens strains (non-inoculated, strain 136, and strain 168). ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect of P and P. fluorescens strain on plant height, pod number per plant, 100 grain weight, pod length, and pod and grain yield. ANOVA also showed that grain number per pod was significantly affected by P application and P. fluorescens strain, while haulm yield was significantly affected only by P. fluorescens strain. In the absence of P, the grain yield of inoculated plants was not significantly different from that of non-inoculated plants. In the presence of P (25 kg ha-1), strain 168 showed an increase in grain yield of 42% and 65% over strain 136 and non-inoculated plants, respectively. The results indicated that application of phosphorus (25 kg ha-1) and seed inoculation with P. fluorescens strain 168 can be recommended to increase grain/pod yield significantly.

Alternative Herbicides for the Management of Clethodim-Resistant Rigid Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Faba Bean (Vicia fabaL.) in Southern Australia

Two field experiments were conducted during 2012 and 2013 at Roseworthy, South Australia to identify effective herbicide options for the management of clethodim-resistant rigid ryegrass in faba bean. Dose–response experiments confirmed resistance in both field populations (B3, 2012 and E2, 2013) to clethodim and butroxydim. Sequencing of the target site of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase gene in both populations identified an aspartate-2078-glycine mutation. Although resistance of B3 and E2 populations to clethodim was similar (16.5- and 21.4-fold more resistant than the susceptible control SLR4), the B3 population was much more resistant to butroxydim (7.13-fold) than E2 (2.24-fold). Addition of butroxydim to clethodim reduced rigid ryegrass plant density 60 to 80% and seed production 71 to 88% compared with the standard grower practice of simazine PPI plus clethodim POST. Clethodim + butroxydim combination had the highest grain yield of faba bean (980 to 2,400 kg ha−1). Although propyzamide and pyroxasulfone plus triallate PPI provided the next highest levels of rigid ryegrass control (&lt; 60%), these treatments were more variable and unable to reduce seed production (6,354 to 13,570 seeds m−2) to levels acceptable for continuous cropping systems.

Gene action determining grain yield and chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) resistance in faba bean

Production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is hampered by chocolate spot disease caused by Botrytis fabae. Studies of the genetics of resistance is vital to devise a viable strategy for faba bean breeding. The present study was carried out with the objective to determine the mode of inheritance and maternal effect for chocolate spot resistance and yield. A 10 × 10 full diallel mating design was used to generate 90 F1 hybrids which were evaluated at three sites in Ethiopia with two replications under natural and with artificial inoculation of the pathogen. There was significant variation for chocolate spot resistance and yield among the genotypes (P ≤ 0.001). The general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were both highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) for chocolate spot resistance. However, the GCA effect was predominant (84.5 %) suggesting that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive effects and that subsequent selection would be effective to enhance disease resistance. In contrast, the SCA effects were predominant (89.3 %) for grain yield suggesting that non-additive gene action was more important which may provide transgressive segregants. Reciprocal effects were generally negligible (<10 %) for both yield and disease resistance. The line ILB-4726, which combined good disease resistance with high grain yield potential would be recommended for faba bean breeding.

Nitrogen yield and nitrogen fixation of winter faba beans

Introducing autumn-sown legumes into Central European farming systems could be beneficial for addressing two challenges for European agriculture, i.e., the substantial deficit of protein sources for livestock and expected changes in agroclimatic conditions. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conucted under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria to assess nitrogen (N) yield and N fixation of several winter faba bean varieties from different European countries as compared to a spring faba bean. Winter wheat was used as a reference crop for estimating atmospheric N fixation. Winter faba beans were susceptible to frost damage especially in the harder of the two winters. Winter faba bean varieties could not achieve a higher grain yield and a higher grain N yield than the spring faba bean but had a higher grain N concentration (except for one variety). Grain yield and grain N yield of faba beans were severely impaired by drought in one year (with a mean of varieties of 8.3 g N m−2, winter wheat: 6.4 g N m−2); in the other year, grain N yield of faba beans considerably surpassed that of winter wheat (with a mean of varieties of 21.5 g N m−2, winter wheat: 8.8 g N m−2). After harvest, faba beans left higher nitrate residues in the soil, especially in the subsoil, and higher amounts of N in above-ground residues compared to winter wheat. Faba beans showed high N fixation under optimum conditions (with a mean of varieties of 21.9 g N m−2) whereas drought considerably impaired N fixation (with a mean of varieties of 6.3 g N m−2; with no differences between autumn- and spring-sown faba beans). In conclusion, growing winter faba bean varieties in eastern Austria did not result in higher grain yield, grain N yield, and N fixation compared to growing a spring faba bean.

Physiological Response of German Winter Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) to Drought

Drought reduces faba bean yield in many parts of the world. Therefore, it is necessary to develop drought-tolerant faba bean cultivars. Plant breeders need to screen for drought-tolerant germplasm using fast and reliable screening tools, e.g., chlorophyll absorbance, thermo-imaging camera system, and electrical root capacitance. A set of faba bean genotypes was used to screen for drought tolerance. Leaf temperature depression (LTD), measured with the thermo-imaging system, was significantly correlated with both dry regrowth weight (r = 0.423), dry matter 1 (r = 0.629), and fresh regrowth weight (r = 0.573). Moreover, root capacitance (RC) was significantly correlated with fresh weight 1 (r = −0.516). Genotypes S062 and S252 were considered drought tolerant. These two lines can be used in breeding programs to develop drought-tolerant cultivars. On the other hand, RC and LTD could be used as non-destructive screening tools for drought tolerance.

Impact of ridge–furrow water harvesting system on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production under rainfed conditions in Matrouh, Egypt

In the North Western Coastal Zone (NWCZ) of Egypt, low rainfall results in poor crop production. Different techniques should be examined to enhance the crop yield productivity and increase the water use efficiency. The ridge–furrow water harvesting system (RFWHS) is examined under the rainfed conditions in the NWCZ of Egypt over the two growing seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Two ridge:furrow ratios of 120:60 and 60:60cm ridge:furrow were used and compared to the conventional cultivation in a flat plot. The RFWHS was combined with different plant densities produced from three different row spacing (i.e., 20, 30, 60cm). The faba bean yield was highly influenced by the ridge:furrow ratio, the seed yield was increased by 47% and 128.2% when the 60:60cm ridge:furrow ratio was used as compared to the conventional cultivation in the first and second seasons, respectively. The row spacing of 30cm apart produced the highest seed yield of 491.1kg/ha in the first season and 261.3kg/ha in the second season as compared to 20cm and 60cm row spacing. The water use efficiency followed the same pattern as that of seed yield; it was the highest for the 60:60cm ridge:furrow ratio and the highest for the 30cm row spacing. It is concluded that the RFWHS can be used effectively in increasing faba bean production and maximizing water use efficiency in limited rainfall areas.

Limited winter survival and compensation mechanisms of yield components constrain winter faba bean production in Central Europe

A substantial deficit of protein sources for livestock and expected changes in agro-climatic conditions are two challenges for European agriculture. Both can be addressed by introducing more autumn-sown legumes into Central European farming systems. Therefore, a three-year field experiment was conducted under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria in which several winter faba bean varieties from different European countries were compared to a spring faba bean variety. Winter faba bean was susceptible to frost damage. Best overwintering was observed with the German variety Hiverna and the French variety Diva. Regarding overwintering, the first winter allowed for a clear differentiation between varieties, in the second winter, severe frost caused loss of almost all winter faba bean plants and in the third winter, which was mild, most varieties showed good overwintering. Grain yield of winter faba bean was mainly determined by variations of plants m−2 (i.e. by overwintering) whereas compensatory mechanisms between yield components had a minor influence on yield formation. No grain yield advantage could be observed for winter faba bean varieties compared to the spring faba bean variety even in the year with good overwintering. Regarding yield components, winter faba bean had generally more shoots plant−1 and a higher thousand kernel weight but spring faba bean tended to have more pods shoot−1 and grains shoot−1 whereas pods plant−1, grains plant−1 and grains pod−1 generally did not differ. In conclusion, limited winter hardiness together with the minor influence of compensatory mechanisms between yield components on yield formation are serious constraints for increasing the cultivation of winter faba bean in Central Europe.

Enhanced biological N2 fixation and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in an acid soil following biochar addition: dissection of causal mechanisms

Acid soils constrain legume growth and biochars have been shown to address these constraints and enhance biological N2 fixation in glasshouse studies. A dissection of causal mechanisms from multiple crop field studies is lacking. In a sub-tropical field study, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was cultivated in rotation with corn (Zea mays) following amendment of two contrasting biochars, compost and lime in a rhodic ferralsol. Key soil parameters and plant nutrient uptake were investigated alongside stable 15 N isotope methodologies to elucidate the causal mechanisms for enhanced biological N2 fixation and crop productivity. Biological N2 fixation was associated with plant Mo uptake, which was driven by reductions in soil acidity following lime and papermill (PM) biochar amendment. In contrast, crop yield was associated with plant P and B uptake, and amelioration of soil pH constraints. These were most effectively ameliorated by PM biochar as it addressed both pH constraints and low soil nutrient status. While liming resulted in the highest biological N2 fixation, biochars provided greater benefits to faba bean yield by addressing P nutrition and ameliorating Al toxicity.