Abstract

Faba bean (Vicia fabae L.) is one of the earliest domesticated food legumes in the world, probably in the late Neolithic period. The crop is also called by several local names (broad bean, horse bean and field bean). The wild progenitor and the exact origin of faba bean still remain unknown. Cultivated faba bean is mainly used as human food in developing and as animal feed in industrialized countries. The objective of this study is to evaluate and identify adaptive, high-yielding and disease resistant Fababean varieties under rain fed condition. Nine improved Faba bean varieties including local check were evaluated for their adaptation and yield in debark and dabat district under rain fed condition during 2012 and 2013 main cropping season. The varieties were planted in 3 replications using RCBD design. Combined Analysis of variance result showed that there were significant differences observed on all parameters. Based on maturity data Obsie and Motie are early type and Hachalu is the late ones, the largest treatment in height (129 cm), resistance to disease (3.4), largest hundred seed weight (90.08) and the highest yield (2429.5 kg/ha) were obtained on varieties Hachalu. So, variety Hachalu is best fits to the agro-ecology by providing reasonable yield advantage.

Key words: Faba bean, cultivars, production, yield.