Method of phosphorus fertiliser application and row spacing on grain yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Yield responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cv. Fiord to applications of fertiliser phosphorus (P), as superphosphate, were measured in 2 field experiments. The P was either (i) placed with the seed while sowing at 6 cm depth and also cultivating at 3-4 cm below the seed (drilled P) or (ii) placed 3-4 cm below the seed while sowing at 6 cm depth (banded P). This was done when the seed and fertiliser were placed in rows at either the standard 19 cm apart (current recommendation) or 38 cm apart (makes it easier to sow into the stubble of the previous crop). Yield of dried shoots and seed (grain) increased with increasing amount of P applied (0-30 kg P/ha in experiment 1,0-45 kg P/ha in experiment 2), but were unaffected by the method of P application or spacing between seed and fertiliser rows. Therefore, (i) up to 45 kg P/ha can be drilled with the seed while sowing faba bean crops (current farmer practice) and (ii) faba bean can be sown and fertilised at 38-cm spacings making it easier to sow into the stubble of the previous crop than the 19-cm spacing currently being practiced.