Determining Optimum Plant Density for Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) in Mirab Azernet and Alicho Wuriro Districts, South Ethiopia
Abstract: Faba bean is one of the major pulse crops widely produced in the highlands of Ethiopia. It is an annual crop grown by subsistence farmers, during the cool main rainy season (June to September). Plant density defines the number of plants per square meter, which in turn determines the area available to each individual plant. The field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 at Alicho wuriro and Mirab azernet districts, Siltie zone, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State of Ethiopia to determine optimum plant density for faba bean. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant heights, pods per plant and grain yield were significantly affected by plant density. The highest grain yield was recorded due to 40 cm inter and 10 cm intra row spacing. Therefore, it can be conclude that 40 cm inter and 10 cm intra row spacing is recommended to obtain high yield of faba bean in the experimental areas.
Keywords: Faba Bean: Plant Density: Individual Plant: Ethiopia.
