Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Faba Bean Sown at Two Row Spacings and Seed Densities

Abstract

The performance of promising genotypes of faba bean developed for areas with limited rainfall was compared with the local landrace, ILB 1814, at Tel Hadya in Syria during 1989–1988 using different row spacings and sowing densities. In the last two years of the trials the performance of the improved genotypes and ILB 1814 was compared with and without supplemental irrigation. Yields of ILB 1814 were better than the highest yielding genotypes in some years and similar to them in others. In seasons with limited rainfall the best yields were obtained by using a narrow row spacing and dense sowing, and yields were significantly improved by irrigation. Grain yield was correlated with biomass and the number of pods per unit area. The percentage of radiation intercepted was highest in ILB 1814, particularly when sown with a narrow row spacing and at a high plant density. Soil water extraction, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency were improved by sowing at a narrowrow spacing and high plant density.