Faba Bean Yield Research Articles

Response of Green Faba Bean Yield: As Nexus of Water Deficit, P-Fertilizers, and Phosphorus Recovery

Water and fertilizer optimum management in agriculture is important in improving crop productivity, two field experiments were conducted in El-Qanater Horticultural Research Station, Qalubiya Governorate, Egypt, during 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 to study the response of (Vicia faba L.,) Giza 716 faba bean cultivar to three irrigation water levels 100 % of potential evapotranspiration, ET crop (I1), 80 % ET crop (I2) and 60 % ET crop (I3) of irrigation requirements, the effect of applying P-fertilizers no P-fertilization (P0); powdered calcium super phosphate (P1); granular calcium superphosphate (P2) and powdered rock phosphate (P3) all P-sources inoculated by B. megaterium. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: Increasing the applied amount of irrigation water from 3172 (I3) to 4229 m3 ha-1 (I2) and (P3) gave the highest values of all growth characters, except plant height and amount of pods/ plant in average values of both seasons. Moreover, the 80% ET crop (I2) and rock phosphate sources treatment increased yield values attributes, and NPK contents of seeds. Also, the highest values of Irrigation Water productivity (IWP) kg m-3 faba bean green pods and seed quality (protein %) occurred with 80% ET crop (I2) of irrigation water level and powdered rock phosphate (P3).

Enhancing Water Use Efficiency and Carbon Profitability Through the Long-Term Impact of Sustainable Farming Systems

This study aims to enhance water use efficiency, maximize productivity, and minimize environmental impact through the implementation of sustainable agricultural systems using drip irrigation systems. It investigates the effects of biodynamic farming compared to those of organic and conventional methods over a six-year period and focuses on soil properties, water use efficiency, crop yield, and environmental and economic perspectives. Using a biodynamic farming system resulted in an average increase in water use efficiency of 1.96 and 10.67% for maize and 3.62 and 10.68% for faba bean and an increase in maize yield of 1.68 and 0.99%, while the faba bean yield reached 3.25 and 1.57% compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The biodynamic system sequestered the highest average soil carbon of 6.16 tons/ha (which is equivalent to 22.45 tons/ha of CO2 emissions), representing a 13% increase compared to the organic system. Additionally, the biodynamic system yielded an increase in total net profit of 5.70 and 21.66% for the maize crop and 6.72 and 22.19% for the faba bean crop compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The farming system significantly influenced the soil carbon sequestration and organic carbon.

Impact of Temperature on Podding in Faba Bean (Vicia faba)

Faba bean is grown globally for human consumption and animal feed and is a significant rotation crop in cereal-dominant areas in many countries, including Australia. It is sensitive to several abiotic stresses, such as drought, frost, and high temperatures, especially at the reproductive stage. However, little is known of the upper and lower temperature limits for successful podding. Experiments were conducted over 2 years at Breeza and Narrabri in northwestern New South Wales to assess the impact of temperature on flowering and podset of three genotypes—Doza, Cairo, and IX1148f—under field conditions. Flowering nodes were tagged from designated plants in the field and scored for podding; field temperatures were recorded. Optimum maximum temperature for podset ranged from 23.7–26.1 °C, and the equivalent minimum temperature was 3.2–3.8 °C. Optimum average daily temperature for podset ranged from 12.7–13.9 °C. The strongest correlations between temperature and podding were observed at minimum temperatures, indicating that low temperatures are more important than high temperatures in determining yield in faba bean.

Unveiling Phenotypic and Environmental Dynamics: Exploring Genetic Stability and Adaptability of Faba Bean Cultivars in Norwegian Climates

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated 22 spring‐type faba bean cultivars in the main areas for cultivation of faba bean in Norway to assess the variation of 14 faba bean traits due to cultivar (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E), and to assess their stability across environments by using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis and coefficient of variation (CV). Significant G, E, and G × E effects were found for most traits, with environment accounting for much of the variance in yield and the growing degree days (GDD) to different developmental stages. Yield was highly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and GDD to BBCH 89 (maturation). The stability of the cultivars was studied for yield, TKW, and GDD to BBCH 89. Stability analysis using the AMMI stability value, yield stability index, CV, and the average sum of ranks identified Birgit, Stella, Bobas, and Macho as the most stable high‐yielding cultivars across environments, achieving a mean yield of 6–6.4 tons ha−1. Bobas, Macho, Stella, and Yukon had the most stable TKW (612–699 g) and Bobas, Capri, Trumpet, and Vertigo were the most stable regarding GDD to BBCH 89 (1257°C days, with a base temperature of 5°C). These stable cultivars can be utilized in breeding programs to achieve high and stable faba bean yield in the main growing areas of Norway and other Nordic‐Baltic countries.

Assessment of faba bean-cereal intercropping: Impact on black aphids, weed management, and faba bean yield in the Meknes region, Morocco

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the association between faba bean and cereal crops on the incidence and severity of black aphids, weed control, and faba bean yield in Meknes region, Morocco. Regression and correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between different parameters. The results showed that the combination of faba bean with cereals significantly reduced black aphid infestation, weed density, and biomass compared to faba bean alone. The present study also revealed a positive correlation between reduced aphid incidence and improved faba bean yield. Analyses also revealed significant correlations between weed density and aphid incidence/severity as well as notable associations between faba bean crop biomass, weed biomass, and faba bean yield. These findings underscore the importance of crop associations in enhancing the resilience and productivity of faba beans through integrated aphid and weed management. They highlight the complexity of the interactions between aphids, weeds, and faba bean crops, requiring a holistic approach to understand their impact on crop yield.

Genetic gain in yield of Australian faba bean since 1980 and associated shifts in the phenotype: Growth, partitioning, phenology, and resistance to lodging and disease

ContextFeeding a growing human population with limited arable land requires greater crop yield that is, in turn, driven by improved agronomy, better varieties, and their synergy. Here we focus on faba bean, Vicia faba L., an under-researched grain legume for which on-farm yield in Australia has increased at 0.8 % y−1 since 1990. ObjectiveWe aimed to quantify genetic gain in seed yield of Australian faba bean varieties released since 1980, and to identify associated shifts in physiological and agronomic traits. MethodsWe combined three studies: the complete historical collection of Australian faba bean varieties was grown in 1) a vintage experiment of three field trials; and 2) a pot experiment inoculated with old and new strains of Ascochyta fabae. Since most varieties were grown in a national network of trials, we 3) estimated genetic gain in seed yield and individual seed weight in 129 environments. ResultsIn the vintage experiment, genetic gain in seed yield varied from 0.4 % y−1 to almost zero; low rates of genetic gain were also apparent in the national network of trials. Biomass, harvest index, and crop growth rate in the critical period had low rates of genetic change, and there were strong trade-offs between yield components and in their responses to selection. Breeding increased seed size at 0.5 % y−1. Visual lodging scores decreased at 4.9 % y−1. There was breakdown in resistance to Ascochyta blight, but it was restored in new varieties. ConclusionsAustralian faba bean breeding contributed to on-farm yield and profitability through improved agronomic traits and seed quality. Low genetic gain in yield can be partially attributed to physiological trade-offs between traits, economic trade-offs between multiple breeding targets, and genotype-by-environment interaction. ImplicationUnder-researched crops require greater investment to match the genetic gain in yield of major crops.

Accurate Long-Read RNA Sequencing Analysis Reveals the Key Pathways and Candidate Genes under Drought Stress in the Seed Germination Stage in Faba Bean.

Faba bean is an important pulse. It provides proteins for the human diet and is used in industrial foodstuffs, such as flours. Drought stress severely reduces the yield of faba bean, and this can be efficiently overcome through the identification and application of key genes in response to drought. In this study, PacBio and Illumina RNA sequencing techniques were used to identify the key pathways and candidate genes involved in drought stress response. During seed germination, a total of 17,927 full-length transcripts and 12,760 protein-coding genes were obtained. There were 1676 and 811 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the varieties E1 and C105 at 16 h and 64 h under drought stress, respectively. Six and nine KEGG pathways were significantly enriched at 16 h and 64 h under drought stress, which produced 40 and 184 nodes through protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, respectively. The DEGs of the PPI nodes were involved in the ABA (abscisic acid) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways, N-glycosylation, sulfur metabolism, and sugar metabolism. Furthermore, the ectopic overexpression of a key gene, AAT, encoding aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), in tobacco, enhanced drought tolerance. The activities of AAT and peroxidase (POD), the contents of cysteine and isoleucine, were increased, and the contents of malonaldehyde (MDA) and water loss decreased in the overexpressed plants. This study provides a novel insight into genetic response to drought stress and some candidate genes for drought tolerance genetic improvements in this plant.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Yield Components in Faba Bean (<i>Vicia faba </i>L.) Genotypes

Through the use of path coefficient analysis and correlation, crop breeders can improve complex traits like grain yield through indirect selection. The current study set out to quantify the relationship between yield and traits related to yield as well as pinpoint critical features for indirect selection aimed at enhancing the grain yield of faba bean. The objective of the current study was to identify key characteristics for indirect selection targeted at increasing the grain yield of faba beans as well as quantify the relationship between yield and variables related to yield. The study was conducted at Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center at the Debre Tabor research site used a 7x7 simple lattice design with two replications to evaluate 49 faba bean genotypes during the rainy cropping season of 2022. The study found a significant positive correlation between grain yield, plant height, pod number, biomass yield, 100-seed mass, and harvest index. The study found that biomass yield and harvest index significantly impact grain yield, suggesting they can be used as indirect selection criteria to enhance faba bean grain yield.

Study of Metroglyph Analysis in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Genotypes for Different Quantitative Characters

The study conducted at the Research Farm of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences during the rabi/winter season of 2022-23 aimed to estimate the genetic diversity and morphological variations among 20 Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes using Anderson’s metroglyph analysis for different quantitative traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all the characters studied indicating the presence of considerable amount of variability among the genotypes. The genotypes viz, IVT HB19-14 I, IVT HB 19-11, ABSPS-2-1, AVT I HB16-15, IVT HB18-15, VIKRANT (CHECK), ABSPS-1-5, ABSPS-1-2 recorded significantly superior seed yield and yield contributing traits respectively. Six distinct morphological complexes were identified as a result of the analysis, which showed significant variation among the genotypes for the majority of traits. Complex I included eight genotypes with high seed yield and a high number of seeds per plant, while Complex II comprised five genotypes with low seed yield and a low number of seeds per plant. Complex III: High seed yield with a lower number of seeds per plant including three genotypes. Complex IV: Moderate seed yield with a higher number of seeds per plant, represented by two genotypes, Complex V: Very low seed yield and a very low number of seeds per plant, represented by one genotype and Complex VI: Low plant height with a very low number of spikelet’s per panicle, represented by one genotype. The genotypes IVT HB18-15, IVT HB19-13, IVT HB19-14 I, IVT HB19-11, ABSPS-1-1, ABSPS-1-2, ABSPS-1-4, and VIKRANT were identified as superior due to their high index scores and were suggested for use in breeding programs to enhance yield and other desirable traits. The study concluded that metroglyph analysis is an effective method for assessing genetic diversity and morphologicalvariations, providing valuable insights for breeders to improve Faba bean yield and adaptability through targeted cross-breeding of superior genotypes.

Effect of deficit irrigation and partial rootzone drying on the water consumptive use, growth and yield of faba bean (vicia faba L.) in a gypsiferous soil

Iraq’s farming sector is under increasing pressure to improve water use productivity as a result of the recent drought, environmental concerns regarding sustainable river ecosystems, and government policies on water metering and allocations. To cope with scarce supplies, deficit irrigation, and partial rootzone drying, defined as the application of water below full crop-water requirements, is an important tool to achieve the goal of reducing irrigation water use. It is necessary to develop new irrigation scheduling approaches, not necessarily based on full crop water requirement, but ones designed to ensure the optimal use of allocated water. These two methods of irrigation are one way of maximizing water use efficiency (WUE) for higher yields per unit of irrigation water applied: the crop is exposed to a certain level of water stress either during a particular period or throughout the whole growing season. The expectation is that any yield reduction will be insignificant compared with the benefits gained through diverting the saved water to irrigate other crops. This paper reviews the yield response of the faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The deficit of irrigation on gypsiferous soils is not known. A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of deficit irrigation and partial drying of the root system on the growth and yield of the bean Randomized Complete Blocks (RCBD) design in gypsiferous soil in the fields of the College of Agriculture- Tikrit University, which is located on Latitude 49° 40ʹ 34˝ North and Longitude 40° 38ʹ 43˝ East At an altitude of 129 m above sea level. The study included seven treatments of full irrigation, deficit irrigation, 25, 50 %, and fixed, alternating partial drying. The seeds of the Barcelona variety were sown for the season on 16/10/2021 and harvested on 2/4/2022. The results showed that the full irrigation treatment gave the highest water consumption use of 635 mm, while the alternative partial root drying decreasing 50% gave the lowest water consumption use of 245 mm and gave the highest crop water use efficiency of 2.0 kg m-3. Treatment full irrigation gave the highest seed yield of 5186.3 kg.ha-1, While the 50% deficit irrigation treatment gave the highest dry weight of the root system, which was 25.6 gm.plant-1.

Optimization of N Fertilizer and Synergistic Intercropping to Enhance the Productivity Advantage of Faba Bean and Effective Control of Chocolate Spot Epidemics.

Intercropping of wheat/faba bean is a common practice within the legume-cereal family. However, the benefits of nitrogen (N) fertilizer-optimized synergistic intercropping in improving faba bean productivity while controlling the prevalence of chocolate spot disease have not been established. This study conducted continuous field experiments spanning two planting seasons to investigate two key findings: (i) Optimizing N fertilizer application can enhance the productivity of intercropped faba bean. (ii) The percentage severity index (PSI) during the period of maximum prevalence rate (Rmax) of faba bean chocolate spot disease poses a substantial challenge to faba bean yield. The results indicated that the land equivalent ratio and transgressive overyielding index for each intercropping treatment increased with higher N fertilizer application, exceeding a value of 1, and the land saving proportion also exceeded 0. Intercropping primarily enhances productivity, as measured by the harvest index (HI), by amplifying the complementary effect rather than the selection effect, thus improving the net benefit of intercropping. The HI of single and intercropped faba bean increased with the N1 and N2 treatments in both planting seasons. However, the HI of single and intercropped faba bean at the N3 level decreased significantly, ranging from 17.85 to 29.62%. Furthermore, a notable negative correlation was established between the PSI during critical epidemic (initial epidemic, maximum epidemic rate, and late epidemic) periods and observed and expected faba bean yields. As the PSI increased, faba bean yields decreased, and the PSI of intercropping at different periods was lower than that observed in the single cropping. Additionally, intercropping with the optimized N fertilizer treatment (N2 treatment) exhibited an enhanced relative control effect on chocolate spot disease in faba bean, ranging from 35.21 to 52.36%. This finding confirmed the productivity advantage of intercropping faba bean. In conclusion, this study suggested that optimizing N fertilizer application can enhance the productivity of intercropped faba bean. Wheat/faba bean intercropping effectively controlled the PSI during the period of Rmax, which would otherwise threaten faba bean yield. Consequently, this practice ensured sustained advantages of wheat/faba bean intercropping.

Impact of the 2020 Mediterranean Storm 'Dragon Storm' on Chocolate Spot Disease, Growth, and Yield of Faba Bean in Egypt

Impact of the 2020 Mediterranean Storm 'Dragon Storm' on Chocolate Spot Disease, Growth, and Yield of Faba Bean in Egypt

Irrigation regime with organic and bio-fertilizers for faba bean production grown on sand clay loam soil

Water scarcity is a major challenge for faba bean production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigated the effect of deficit irrigation and organic or bio-fertilization on faba bean yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The experiment was conducted in two consecutive winter seasons in Egypt, and the average results of the two seasons were presented because there were no significant differences between the two seasons. The experimental design was split-plot with three replicates in each season. The main plots were assigned to the amounts of irrigation water [3330 m3 ha−1 (I1), 2830 m3 ha−1 (I2), and 2330 m3 ha−1 (I3)] and the subplots were devoted to the fertilization treatments [control, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and effective micro-organisms (EM)]. The results showed that the plant height and branch numbers were increased by 139.95 and 242.03%, respectively, for HA at irrigation treatment of I2 over the control. Adding HA increased chlorophyll and protein contents by 209.04 and 295.46%, respectively, over the control at irrigation regime of I2. Adding HA significantly increased pods number, pods weight per plant, and total green yield by 380.21, 314.51, and 420.28%, respectively, over the control. The WUE value was 4.51 kg m−3 by adding HA under deficit irrigation I2 compared to irrigation I3 (2.64 kg m−3) while the WUE value was 4.58 kg m−3 at normal irrigation (I1). Overall, the application of organic or bio-fertilizers, especially humic acid, could mitigate the negative effects of deficit irrigation and improve faba bean yield and WUE.

Enhancing faba bean (Vicia faba L.) productivity through establishing the area-specific fertilizer rate recommendation in southwest Ethiopia.

The aim of this study is to establish area-specific NPSB (18.9% N, 37.7% P2O5, 6.95% S, and 0.1% B) fertilizer rate recommendations for the optimal grain yield of faba bean. The field experiment was conducted in two locations in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The nine treatments included 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer rates. An economic analysis was conducted for grain yield using the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center procedure. The analysis of variance results showed that blended fertilizer significantly (p < 0.01) affected plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, hundred seeds weight, biomass yield, grain yield (GY), and harvest index. The combined location mean result showed that applying a 125 kg ha-1 NPSB rate produced the highest GY (4857.2 kg ha-1). The result of economic analysis demonstrated that applying a 125 kg ha-1 NPSB rate earned the highest net benefits (212824.0 ETB ha-1) and marginal rate of return (3653.43%). Therefore, a 125 kg ha-1 NPSB fertilizer rate is recommended for high yield and profitability of faba bean production in the study area and other similar soil types.

Effect of Intercropping by Flax, Radish and Fenugreek on Faba Bean, &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Vicia faba&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L., Production and Reduction of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Orobanche crenata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Forsk Seed Bank

Faba bean &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Vicia faba&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. is a primary source of protein in the diet of masses in Egypt. Broom-rape, &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Orobanche crenata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Forsk (Orobanchaceae), present great threat parasitic weed to some crops in Egypt including faba bean. Egyptian farmers were forced to abandon growing faba bean crops due to &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;O. crenata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; heavy soil infestation. Several methods have been used for controlling this parasite, but without obvious success. Many researches have shown that intercropping has been more effective than monocropping in suppression of parasitic weeds. The effect of intercropping (fenugreek, radish and flax) using two resistant cultivars (Giza 843&amp; Misr 3) on the emergence of the broomrape spikes and faba bean production were carried out. Intercropping flax or fenugreek among faba bean cultivars, caused a significant reduction in the infestation levels of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;O. crenata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and increased the faba bean yield compared with sole treatments. Flax was more effective in the reducing infestation rate by &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;O. crenata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; than fenugreek. This reduction appeared to be related to reduced seed germination which may have been as a result of allelochemicals released by fenugreek roots, though this was not confirmed in this study. The reduction in weed infestation was more pronounced in Giza 843, than in Misr 3. Flax treatment showed the lowest weed infestation compared with other intercropping treatments. Fenugreek intercropping treatment resulted in the highest pod yield for both Giza 843 and Misr 3. Using resistant cultivars intercropping with fenugreek or flax is very promising trend that generally combines both good yield and low number of emerged spikes that reduce broomrape seed bank in the infected soils, with variations depending on the cultivar and growing season.

AN INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE WATER AND FRTILIZERS PRODUCTIVITY OF FABA BEANS UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION USING MONOTORING BY SMART CONTROL SYSTEM AND HUMIC COMPOUNDS

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a smart and modern controller system for drip irrigation, as well as two critical elements related to humic compost and various treatments for field capabilities, on the yield of Faba beans, as well as the productivity of water and fertilizers (WP, FP). The Agricultural Research Station, National Research Centre, El-Nubaria district, Egypt, conducted field experiments during the winter season of 2022 and 2023. The experiments took place in sandy soil and focused on the cultivation of the Faba bean (Vica Faba. L). Faba bean seeds were planted in the last week of October, and the growing season lasted for 135 days. The smart controller drip irrigation system utilizes three different irrigation rates with corresponding field capacities of 35, 65, and 100. Additionally, two different amounts of humic compost, 100 kg/fed and 35 kg/fed, can be added. The highest Faba bean yield, water productivity (WP), and fertilizer productivity (FP) were achieved while applying 100 kg/fed of humic compost with a field capacity of 100%. Conversely, the lowest results were obtained when utilizing 35 kg/fed of humic compost with a field capacity of 35%. The application of 100 kg/fed of humic compost had a significant favorable effect on faba bean plants. This is attributed to the increased levels of macro and micronutrients present in the compost, which also aids in water conservation in sandy soil. Consequently, the plants were able to avoid water stress. Insufficient water supply in drip irrigation causes increased water stress, which negatively impacts plants and crop productivity. Faba bean plants can tolerate water stress when provided with 100% field capacity (FC) but are negatively affected by water stress at FC levels of 35% and 65%.

Genome-wide association study for yield-related traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.).

Yield is the most complex trait to improve crop production, and identifying the genetic determinants for high yield is a major issue in breeding new varieties. In faba bean (Vicia faba L.), quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have previously been detected in studies of biparental mapping populations, but the genes controlling the main trait components remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated for the first time the genetic control of six faba bean yield-related traits: shattering (SH), pods per plant (PP), seeds per pod (SP), seeds per plant (SPL), 100-seed weight (HSW), and plot yield (PY), using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on a worldwide collection of 352 homozygous faba bean accessions with the aim of identifying markers associated with them. Phenotyping was carried out in field trials at three locations (Spain, United Kingdom, and Serbia) over 2 years. The faba bean panel was genotyped with the Affymetrix faba bean SNP-chip yielding 22,867 SNP markers. The GWAS analysis identified 112 marker-trait associations (MTAs) in 97 candidate genes, distributed over the six faba bean chromosomes. Eight MTAs were detected in at least two environments, and five were associated with multiple traits. The next step will be to validate these candidates in different genetic backgrounds to provide resources for marker-assisted breeding of faba bean yield.

Enhancing Faba Bean Yields in Alpine Agricultural Regions: The Impact of Plastic Film Mulching and Phosphorus Fertilization on Soil Dynamics

Plastic film mulching is widely used in water and temperature-limited regions to enhance crop yields. Phosphorus (P) fertilization can address deficiencies in soil P availability. In this four-year field experiment conducted in an alpine agricultural area, we explored the effects of nitrogen (N) and P supply imbalance on faba bean cultivation, particularly examining intensified N competition between soil microbes and plants. The randomized block design comprised three film mulching treatments—no film mulching with flat planting (NMF), double ridges and furrows mulched with one plastic film (DRM), and three ridges and furrows mulched with one plastic film (TRM)—and three P levels—P0 (0 kg P ha−1), P1 (9.10 kg P ha−1), and P2 (18.2 kg P ha−1). The results indicated that NMF enhanced soil available N and microbial biomass N (MBN) during early growth stages, consequently improving faba bean yield, nodule weight, total N, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) compared to DRM and TRM. DRM and TRM exhibited higher soil available N and MBN during later growth stages and higher soil temperature and water content, soil water storage (SWS), soil organic C (SOC), and soil C/N ratio than NMF. In NMF and DRM, P fertilization increased grain yield, nodule weight, SOC, total N, soil C/N ratio, soil available N, and MBC but decreased MBN during early growth stages, and decreased soil water content and SWS. TRM exhibited the opposite trend. P fertilization increased soil total P and available P. Overall, NMF combined with P fertilization (~18.2 kg P ha−1) significantly improved faba bean yield. However, it may also accelerate SOC decomposition, highlighting the need to consider N fertilizer application in this alpine agricultural region.

Effect of Climate, Crop Protection, and Fertilization on Disease Severity, Growth, and Grain Yield Parameters of Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.) in Northern Britain: Results from the Long-Term NFSC Trials

Faba beans are one of the most suitable grain legume crop for colder, maritime climates. However, there is limited information on the effect of changing from conventional to organic production methods and potential impacts of global warming on the health and performance of faba bean crops in Northern Europe. We therefore assessed the performance of faba beans grown with contrasting crop protection (with and without pesticides) and fertilization (with and without P and K fertilizer input) regimes used in organic and conventional production in seven growing seasons. Conventional crop protection and fertilization regimes had no effect on foliar disease severity, but resulted in small, but significant increases in faba bean yields. The overall yield gap between organic and conventional production regimes was relatively small (~10%), but there was substantial variation in yields between growing seasons/years. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that climate explanatory variables/drivers explained the largest proportion of the variation in crop performance and identified strong positive associations between (i) temperature and both straw and grain yield and (ii) precipitation and foliar disease severity. However, RDA also identified crop protection and variety as significant explanatory variables for faba bean performance. The relatively small effect of using P and K fertilizers on yields and the lack of a measurable effect of fungicide applications on foliar disease severity indicate that the use of these inputs in conventional faba beans may not be economical. Results also suggest that the yield gap between organic and conventional faba bean production is significant, but smaller than for other field crops.

Evaluation of Different Agricultural Limes for Bread Wheat and Fababean Production in Acid Soil of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

The application of lime is believed to enhance soil health status through improving soil pH, base saturation and reduces Al and Mn toxicities. Liming effects depend on the source, composition, purity and fineness of the lime. The performance of three liming materials and one control treatment was evaluated in a field trial, further evaluation and validation was done at three districts on different farmers’ sites during 2023 main cropping season. The liming materials included calcitic lime, hydrated lime, and quick lime. The treatments laid out in randomized complete block design. The results of the study showed that all tested lime materials (calcitic lime, hydrated lime, and quick lime) improved yield and agronomic performance of wheat, barley and fababean in comparably. This implies that hydrated limes can serve as an alternative agricultural lime to ameliorate soil acidity. Hence, these liming materials can be used as agricultural lime material and the result is confirmed through validation across locations on different testing crops (wheat, barley and Faba bean). So, it is recommended that liming materials which can be easily accessed for the farmers is recommended because of there is no significant difference among liming material tested.