Yield, seed quality and residual biomass chemical composition of organic faba bean as affected by farming system and planting time

Abstract

The effects of two farming systems (open field, greenhouse) and two transplanting times (11 October, 8 November) on plant growth, fresh pods yield, seed quality, and residual biomass quality for fuel production were assessed. The research was carried out in the years 2011-13 on faba bean in southern Italy. Crop dry weight, LAI and pods yield were higher in open field than in greenhouse and upon the 8 November transplant. Seeds to whole pod weight, yield and mean weight were better affected by the later planting time and by greenhouse, though farming system had no significant effect on yield. Seed fiber and proteins content attained higher values in greenhouse than in open field, whereas polyphenols and ascorbic acid showed the opposite trend; the later planting time better affected proteins and ascorbic acid, but polyphenols were more concentrated in earlier crops seeds. Residual biomass obtained in greenhouse and in earlier crops showed higher values of lignin and pectin, but lower cellulose, compared to open field.