SIGNIFICANCE OF SEED SOURCE ON GRAIN-YIELD IN FABA BEANS (VICIA-FABA L) AND DRY PEAS (PISUM-SATIVUM L)

In order to investigate the significance of seed source on yield and related characters 47 seed lots of seven faba bean varieties and 24 seed lots of five dry pea varieties were tested in three series of field trials. The grain yield of the faba bean varieties tested was considerably modified by seed source, whereas only small and non-significant effects of seed source were found in dry peas. In general, seed sources with a high thousand grain weight, a high protein content, high portions of undamaged and healthy seeds, and in faba beans a high degree of cross-fertilization exhibited superior grain yields. Production of high-performance seed proved to be the most difficult for the large-seeded and white-flowered faba bean varieties. Based on a tabular summary on factors affecting effects of seed source problems of seed production in both grain legumes and their impact on yield are discussed.