SIGNIFICANCE OF SEED SOURCE ON GRAIN-YIELD IN FABA BEANS (VICIA-FABA L) AND DRY PEAS (PISUM-SATIVUM L)

In order to investigate the significance of seed source on yield and r elated characters 47 seed lots of seven faba bean varieties and 24 see d lots of five dry pea varieties were tested in three series of field trials. The grain yield of the faba bean varieties tested was consider ably modified by seed source, whereas only small and non-significant e ffects of seed source were found in dry peas. In general, seed sources with a high thousand grain weight, a high protein content, high porti ons of undamaged and healthy seeds, and in faba beans a high degree of cross-fertilization exhibited superior grain yields. Production of hi gh-performance seed proved to be the most difficult for the large-seed ed and white-flowered faba bean varieties. Based on a tabular summary on factors affecting effects of seed source problems of seed productio n in both grain legumes and their impact on yield are discussed.