Studies on faba bean growth, yield attributes and yield in response to varying planting pattern, geometry and seeding depth

To know the extent and pattern of response by faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to alterations, a two year field experimentation was carried out with two crop establishment methods (i) flatbed planting, and (ii) raised bed planting; four planting geometries (i) 30 x 20 cm (ii) 30 x 30 cm (iii) 30 x 45 cm, and (iv) 45 x 45 cm; and three seeding depths in factorial experiment in complete randomized block design with three replications. Germination was significantly higher under raised bed planting (85.7 per cent) over flatbed planting. Early onset of flowering (58.3 days) and early maturity (97.5 days) was noticed in shallow depth (5.0 cm) of sowing. Maximum plant height (86.8 cm) was noted under raised bed planting. Maximum leaf area index (LAI) was recorded (4.15) with planting geometry (30 x 30 cm) at 90 DAS. Leaf weight ratio (LWR) and RGR were influenced with all the treatments. Pods per plant, seed yield (g/plant and kg ha(-1)) were influenced significantly with all the treatments. Raised bed planting proves superior over flatbed in case of seed yield. Square planting with 30 cm planting distance proved better (3,690.9 kg ha(-1)) than other planting geometries. Seeding at 10 cm depth showed significant improvement in seed yield over other two tested seeding depths.