Evaluation of Frost Damage and Pod Set in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Field Conditions

Abstract

Frost is one factor that causes extensive yield losses globally. A study was conducted to evaluate frost damage under field conditions and assess the genetic variation of flowers converting into pods. Diverse faba bean genotypes were evaluated under four growing seasons in a randomized complete block design: three at the University of Sydney, Narrabri, Australia (2014–2016) with three sowing dates, and one at the Agricultural Research Station, Dirab, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2016/2017) in one sowing. Visual methods were used to estimate frost damage and record the development of pods. Radiation frost in 2014 (Narrabri) damaged lower pods, while advection frost in 2016/2017 (Dirab) damaged upper pods. The radiation frost formed immediately above the ground; therefore, flowers and pods of taller plants minimized the damage because of their long distance from the ground. The earliest (mid-April) and middle sowing (May 7) suffered more by frost, while a delay in sowing (last week in May) led to frost escape or minor damage. The genotypes IX474/4-3 and 11NF010a-2 showed low sensitivity to frost at the vegetative and reproductive stages. Flowers developed at the beginning of flowering had a faster and higher pod formation rate (41–43%) than those formed later and contributed more to yields. Therefore, a severe frost at the beginning of flowering can cause a significant yield loss as these flowers are the most productive. The frost-tolerant genotypes, and faster and higher pod forming rates, identified in this study can be exploited to breed better varieties in the future.

Agronomic Performance of Broomrape Resistant and Susceptible Faba Bean Accession

“…However, early sowings might have two major drawbacks that require attention. First, early sown faba beans could suffer from cold in some areas [53], needing winter hardiness. Although this was not considered to be a major issue in the Mediterranean basin where the winters used to be mild, the significant association between (higher) minimum temperatures, at the vegetative stage and at flowering, with grain yield indicates a yield penalty due to low temperatures, reinforcing the convenience of selecting cultivars that are more tolerant to low temperatures at those stages.…”

Influence of Artichoke Antioxidant Activity in Their Susceptibility to Suffer Frost Injury

“…Frost is a factor that causes important economic losses due to the reduction of fruit quality and yield in different crops. Frost injury has been studied in different crops such as faba bean [7], avocados [8], kale [9], olive tree [10], wheat [11] and lettuce [12], among others. Frost damage occurred in all parts of the faba bean plant, but the tolerance was higher in pods, followed by stems, with the flowers being the most susceptible part [7].…”

“…Frost injury has been studied in different crops such as faba bean [7], avocados [8], kale [9], olive tree [10], wheat [11] and lettuce [12], among others. Frost damage occurred in all parts of the faba bean plant, but the tolerance was higher in pods, followed by stems, with the flowers being the most susceptible part [7]. Olive trees are susceptible to frost damage, especially in the first years of planting, being the main symptoms observed in the aerial parts of the plant and resulting in shoot tip necrosis, leaf fall and bark wounding [10].…”

Evaluation of Adaptability of Different Faba Bean Landraces under Mediterranean Field Conditions of Central-Northern Algeria

“…The most effective method for overcoming biotic and abiotic constraints on faba bean production is to develop varieties suited to the environments in which faba bean is grown [20]. To increase the adoption of this crop, agricultural practices must be adjusted, integrated pest management strategies refined, genotypes resistant to major diseases and abiotic stresses such as frost and water stress should be developed [21][22][23][24], and genotype adaptation to changing environments must be improved [8].…”