The Severity of Diseases of Faba Bean Depending on Sowing Rate and Variety

ABSTRACT Little research has been published about the occurrence of diseases in faba bean such as chocolate spot, ascochyta blight, or rust in Northern Europe. There is also little data about the impact of sowing rate or variety on disease development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of variety and seeding rate on disease severity at Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie (BBCH) 75 (which is when 50% of pods have reached full length). Five varieties were tested from multiple Northern European countries: Bauska (Latvia), Jõgeva (Estonia), Gloria (Sweden), Julia (Sweden) and Lielplatones (Latvia). Two sowing rates were used: 30 seeds m-2 (100%) and 36 seeds m-2 (120%). The sowing rate did not influence disease severity. The varieties which were most damaged by chocolate spot were Gloria and Jõgeva and the varieties least damaged were Julia and Lielplatones. Variety did not influence the severity of ascochyta blight. The variety most damaged by rust was Gloria and the variety least damaged was Julia. The varieties most susceptible to disease Gloria and Jõgeva while Julia was least susceptible. Thus, Julia can be recommended for faba bean production in Northern Europe.