The effect of sowing rate and variety on the yield, protein content and height of faba beans

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Margit Olle

Estonian Crop Research Institute, Estonia

: J Plant Physiol Pathol

Abstract

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Among various grain legume crops grown in Europe, faba bean ranks presently second in area and production after pea and before lupins, soya, chickpeas and lentils. Seeding rates for faba bean vary according to seed size, sowing time and region. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effect of sowing rate and variety on the yield, protein content and height of faba beans. The varieties were: Bauska (Latvia), Jõgeva (Estonia), Gloria (Sweden), Julia (Sweden) and Lielplatones (Latvia). Two sowing rates were used: 1st at a rate of 30 seeds per m2 for all varieties (100%); 2nd at a rate of 36 seeds per m2 for all varieties (120%). According to the results of present investigation it can be stated followed: variety influences in a large scale faba bean yield and protein content. Plant height is less influenced by variety; the sowing rates used in present investigation did not influence significantly faba bean yield, protein content and plant height. The best variety according to the results was variety Gloria from Sweden. This variety had quite stable yield in different climatic conditions, the content of protein was high and the height of plants were more suitable for faba bean production compared to other varieties and finally the increase in sowing rate by 20% did not influence significantly faba bean yield, protein content and plant height. Therefore, we can recommend for the production of faba bean to use sowing rate 30 germinating seeds per square meter.

Biography

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Margit Olle completed graduation with cum laude in Estonian Agricultural University in 1993. She completed her Doctoral studies during 1995–1999 in Norway at the Agricultural University of Norway and defended the Doctor Scientiarum degree. Since 2008, she has worked as a Senior Researcher at the Estonian Crop Research Institute (former Jogeva Plant Breeding Institute). She has published numerous review articles in addition to research articles in her field. She has published four books, out of them 3 in English and one in Estonian. She has been invited Speaker in South Korea, Poland and Greece.