EFFECTS OF TIME OF SOWING AND WATER REGIME ON SEED YIELD OF BROAD BEANS

The trial was carried out at Polignano a Mare (Southern Italy) to investigate the influence of three time sowing and water regime on seed yield and development of broad beans.

Large seeded broad bean (cv. Locale di Bari) was sown at a monthly intervals during November, December and January using four water regimes. Water was supplied whenever evapotranspiration reached 20 mm giving 100%, 75%, 50% and 0% of that amount. Seasonal water consumption was calculated including useful rainfalls; for 100%, 75%, 50% and 0% the values were respectively 2580–2250–1920 and 1260 m³/ha for November sowing, 1960–1680–1410 and 860 m³/ha for December and 1540–1320–1100 and 660 m³/ha for January sowing.

Seed yield averaged 5.7–5.2 and 3.0 t/ha and weight of seeds was 1.79, 1.59 a,d 1.40 g respectively for November, December and January sowing. Lenght of the pods and stems per plant were lower in the last sowing date. Irrigation by returning the 100% of the evapotranspired water increase the seed yield of about 1.8 t/ha. Water regime had no effect on number of seeds per pod, seed size and stems per plant.