Establishing high-yielding faba bean: Exploiting high yield potential in north-west Europe

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is also known as field bean or broad bean. Faba bean is especially well adapted to relatively heavy soils and cool conditions. The faba bean is therefore the grain legume of choice over much of northern Europe. Unlike cereals, the root system is not fibrous so faba bean is not well adapted to compacted soils. This note describes some of the key practices used in the establishment of these exceptionally high yielding crops. These high yields are due to the Irish climate which is ideal for crop growth. Understanding the crop management practices used to exploit this high potential helps in improving production in Ireland and is relevant further afield.