A comparison of the grain and protein yield potential of some annual legume species in South Australia

Abstract

Field experiments are described comparing a wide range of annual, winter-growing legume species with regard to their grain yield and protein content in South Australia. In 1974, a year when rainfall was considerably above average, Vicia faba (fieldbeans) outyielded all other species at each of two sites, eighty lines producing a mean yield of 8.2 t ha-1 of air-dry grain. In 1975, when rainfall was again generally above average but poorly distributed, V. faba, V. sativa and certain Lathyrus species yielded well, while other crops maintained average yields or failed in specific environments. The relative merits of new crop species in the diversification of rotations in dry land farming are discussed and it is concluded that field beans could be developed rapidly into a valuable alternative grain crop.