Faba bean sowing date – Lockhart 2016

Abstract

Key findings •• Across all varieties tested, there was no significant response to sowing time, which validates the current sowing window recommendation. Therefore, the optimum time to sow faba bean at Lockhart in 2016 was late April–mid May. •• PBA Nasma[PBR] and Fiesta VF were the two highest yielding commercial varieties. •• The advanced breeding lines AF10089 and AF09169, developed by Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) were significantly higher yielding than all other varieties. •• PBA Samira[PBR] and Nura[PBR] yielded significantly higher when sown on 18 May compared to 28 April. •• Crop lodging was significantly less for the 18 May sowing date. •• PBA Nasma[PBR] flowered 17 and 14 days earlier than PBA Samira[PBR] and PBA Zahra[PBR] at 28 April, and eight and six days earlier at 18 May.