Dry matter accumulation of faba bean sown at different sowing dates in Canterbury

Abstract

"Old New Zealand‟ faba beans were sown on five dates in the autumn and winter of 2008 and on three sowing dates in the autumn of 2009 at Lincoln University, Canterbury. The crops were sampled throughout their growing periods and a final harvest was completed from the middle to end of October in 2008 and in early December in 2009. Crops yield ranged from 4,420 to 21,340 kg DM/ha across all sowing and harvest dates. Low yield was related to disease outbreak, snow damage and failure to reach a critical leaf area index before winter. Declining temperatures slowed the rate of leaf appearance, especially in the late sown crops in 2008. This reduced the leaf area cover and therefore light interception through the winter and early spring. Faba bean reached canopy closure after 562-652 °Cd under favourable growing conditions. In this study, faba beans were shown to be a suitable crop for forage in Canterbury if sown from early March to late April. These crops could be harvested from late September to late November. This sowing to harvest window allows farmers to plan for late spring feed. Other options are possible if the crops are sown late and harvested for grain, however, there is a potential yield reduction with late sowing.