Response of Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.) to seeding date in central region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Two faba bean cultivars, viz., Giza 3 and X77T A66, were seeded at four planting dates (15 Oct., 30 Oct., 15 Nov., and 1 December) at Deirab Agricultural Experimental Station, King Saud University, in the winter seasons of 1988/89 and 1989/90. Analysis of variance for seed yield indicated that the effect of seeding date was highly significant (P=O.OI). The early seeding resulted in significantly higher seed yield and total dry matter. However, late seeding resulted in a 62% and 46% decrease in yield for the early versus late seeding comparison of Giza 3 and X-77TA66, cultivars, respectively. Also, the harvest index values significantly declined with delayed seeding. Therefore, the decrease in seed yield with a delay in planting was due to a significant decline in total dry matter production and to the inefficient translocation of the photosynthates to the seeds.