Practice Abstract 39 - Faba bean seed quality

Short title (native language): 
Faba bean seed quality

Short summary for practitioners (native language): 
High levels of bruchid damage and very dry weather in some years can lead to variable bean seed quality. Field bean samples tested at PGRO from August to October 2018 had an average germination of 79.5%, with winter beans at 79% and spring beans 83%. Germination can be affected by physical damage to the seed caused when harvesting over-dry crops, chemical contamination by glyphosate, or insect damage such as bruchid damage. It is therefore important to test seed for germination capacity. Losses between 10 and 15% germination have been recorded when bruchid damage is between 40% and 80%. Damage causes seeds to decay before germination leading to establishment failure.
Crops harvested at low moisture content, particularly less than 12%, may incur mechanical damage during harvesting or cleaning. Mechanical damage to seed causes seedling abnormalities and increased infection by soil-borne pathogens such as damping off (Pythium spp.), lowering germination capacity.
If glyphosate is used as a desiccant, seedling abnormalities are likely to arise if the seed from the treated crop is used.
Field bean seed should be tested for stem and bulb nematode and Ascochyta fabae. Stem and bulb nematodes are seed and soil-borne and can lead to crop failures and reduction in produce quality if left unidentified. Ascochyta fabae causes leaf and pod spot in beans, reducing yield and quality, and is a seed-borne disease.