RESPONSE OF SMALL FABABEANS TO SEED RATE AND SPACING

Abstract

Small fababeans (Vicia faba L.) were tested at one location for 2 yr at six seed rates (60–260 kg/ha) and two row spacings (15 and 30 cm). Results indicate that narrow spacing outyields wide spacing at all seed rates, the average advantage being 18.9 q/ha and 5.0 q/ha for 1971 and 1972, respectively. Seed yield increased with seed rate; highest yields were obtained at a seed rate of 260 kg/ha and 15 cm spacing. Treatments had no significant effects on 1,000-seed weight hectoliter weight, or protein content. Yield component analysis revealed that the number of pods per plant decreased with increased seed rates, but weight per pod was not affected. It is concluded that seed yield is a direct function of the number of mature pods per unit area.