Effect of weather conditions on yield and health status of faba bean seeds in Poland

Abstract

Faba beans are considered to be one of the most important leguminous crops. The species is characterized by high nutritional value, in terms of both energy and protein content, which makes it suitable for food and feed production. Fungal diseases are among the key biotic factors responsible for a decline in faba bean yields. In this study, the yield and health status of faba bean seeds from the region of Warmia and Mazury (WM) and the region of Lower Silesia (LS), in Poland, were determined. Correlations between weather conditions vs. the yield of faba bean seeds and the occurrence of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were analyzed. The study revealed that temperature and precipitation influenced the development and yield of faba beans in successive growth stages. Temperature exerted the greatest effect on the yield of faba beans during inflorescence emergence (BBCH 55-Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemical Industry), whereas the effect of precipitation was the maximum at the 4–5 leaves unfolded stage (BBCH 34–35) and at the end of flowering (BBCH 69). The occurrence of saprophytic, pathogenic, and toxin-producing fungi was influenced by temperature and precipitation in the flowering stage (BBCH 61–64).