Take home messages

• Cropping focussed growers in medium-high rainfall zones should consider including faba beans in their rotation
• There are challenges to work through for successful production, including managing soil pH, seeding logistics, inoculation and marketing, but the faba bean crop itself can be very profitable and contributes to overall farming system profitability
• PBA Samira or PBA Amberley are the varieties of choice in eastern higher rainfall environments, but PBA Nasma and FBA Ayla should be considered in lower rainfall environments
• New growers and agronomists should utilise research and development information but also communicate closely with experienced growers and agronomists

Why grow faba beans?

There are several reasons to grow faba beans, but the two key reasons are:

1. Yield

Faba beans can achieve very high yields in high rainfall seasons (e.g. >5 t/ha in 2021 & 2022) yet still achieve solid yields (Table 1) in slightly below-average to average seasons (2023 & 2024).

2. Nitrogen fixation

Faba beans fix atmospheric nitrogen to supply their own growth, as well as leaving N behind to support subsequent crops. In seasons such as 2021 & 2022 (analysis yet to be completed on 2023 & 2024 samples), they had very high nitrogen fixation (Figure 1), at some sites >500 kg N/ha. Across 2021 & 2022 trials, there was an average 210 kg N/ha remaining in the soil and retained stubble after grain harvest.

Table 1. Grain yield of pulse species at NSW Pulse Agronomy Sites from 2021 to 2024 and the grain yield site rank of faba beans (PBA Samira). Each species was sown in its own trial so no statistical comparisons have been made.

Figure 1. Relationship between peak biomass and nitrogen fixed in faba beans and other pulses in  2021 & 2022. Full details of each site can be found at Brill et al., 2024.

Other reasons to grow faba beans include:

• Potential to use alternative weed control options, e.g. pre-emergent herbicides not available for cereals and canola, crop-topping, harvest weed seed control
• They are an effective break crop for cereal diseases, and in conjunction with canola can extend this break to two consecutive seasons
• They are relatively tolerant of sclerotinia stem rot (compared with other pulses) – an important consideration for farming systems that include canola
• They are relatively tolerant of waterlogging (compared with most other grain crops)
• They are relatively simple to harvest compared with other pulses.

Growing faba beans is not without its challenges though, including:

• They are less drought tolerant than other pulses, especially field peas and lentils. At the lowest yielding sites Gol Gol 2021 & Arumpo 2024 (both in south-west NSW), faba beans were the lowest yielding pulse option (Table 1).
• Seeding rates are high and seeds are large. Some seeders may struggle to handle the volume of seed required and seed may block in seeder catch points. It is important to establish 20 plants/m² which equates to sowing rates 110-160 kg/ha (depending on seed size).
• There are few local delivery points - the ability to store on-farm is important in times of high supply. Prices can fluctuate within and between seasons, with potential prices >$600/tonne for export but <$400/tonne for domestic feed consumption.
• Faba beans struggle on low pH soils, compared to canola, wheat and lupins. Through this Pulse Agronomy project, yield of faba beans at Daysdale in the southern Riverina region have been low compared with other pulses. In 2024 the Daysdale site had a pH of 5.5, 4.3, 4.6 and 5.4 (CaCl2) in the 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 & 15-20 cm soil depths. Similarly at Trangie pH was 4.8, 4.9 & 5.5 (CaCl2) in 0-15, 5-10 & 10-15 cm depths and yield was lower than chickpeas, field peas and lupins.
• They can be sensitive to residual herbicides used in previous crops or fallows (e.g. clopyralid)
• They are susceptible to fungal diseases and active management is required – but they don’t need to be completely free of disease to maximise yield potential
• They can be sensitive to aphid infection and subsequent viruses
• They require effective nodulation by specific rhizobia (Group F) to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Faba bean sowing date

The optimum sowing date for faba beans can flip-flop from year to year, so recommended sowing dates are a compromise between:

• Maximising biomass (nitrogen fixation) while maintaining harvest index.
• Minimising crop stress (water, frost and heat).
• Reducing exposure to disease infection.

2023

In 2023 which was a relatively dry season, biomass and yield of faba beans was highest when sown early at Caragabal, Dunedoo, Ganmain and Trangie (Tables 2 to 5). The average benefit was 0.65 t/ha of grain (approximately $340/ha in 2023). On top of that there was more biomass (average 3.1 t/ha) at each site from early sowing and hence more nitrogen fixed (an estimated 90 kg N/ha extra fixed based on 2021 & 2022 results).

Table 2. Yield and peak biomass of four faba bean varieties sown at two sowing dates at Caragabal in 2023.

Table 3. Yield and peak biomass of four faba bean varieties sown in two separate trials at different sowing dates (5 May and 24 May) at Ganmain in 2023.

Table 4. Yield and peak biomass of PBA Samira sown at two sowing dates at Dunedoo in 2023.

Table 5. Yield and peak biomass of PBA Samira sown at two sowing dates at Trangie in 2023.

2024

The season was kinder in central NSW in 2024 (Caragabal, Manildra and Trangie) but below average in southern NSW (Ganmain). Grain yield trends were similar to 2023, but with overall higher yields. Early sowing increased yield by an average of 1 t/ha, with a benefit >2 t/ha at Caragabal, 1.1 t/ha at Manildra and a relatively small overall benefit at Trangie and Ganmain (Tables 6 to 9). Like 2023 there was also more biomass from early sowing at all sites, with an average benefit of 4.1 t/ha (an estimated 120 kg N/ha extra based on 2021 & 2022 results).

Table 6. Yield and peak biomass of four faba bean varieties sown at two sowing dates at Caragabal in 2024.

Table 7. Yield and peak biomass of four faba bean varieties sown at two sowing dates at Ganmain in 2024.

Table 8. Yield and peak biomass of PBA Samira sown at two sowing dates at Manildra in 2024.

Table 9. Yield and peak biomass of PBA Samira sown at two sowing dates at Trangie in 2024.

Target plant density

In trials at Ganmain from 2021 to 2024, grain yield increased where plant density increased from 10 to 20 plants/m² but there was no further yield increase in any season (Figure 2). Assuming 90% establishment of seed sown, seeding rates would range from 110–120 kg/ha for smaller seeded varieties (e.g. FBA Ayla) and up to 160-170 kg/ha for larger seeded varieties (e.g. PBA Amberley, PBA Samira). Manson et al., 2024 suggest a critical plant density of 34 plants/m² based on analysis of 77 Australian experiments. Their economic analysis shows that the penalty for a plant density below 20 plants/m² is greater than the benefit of a plant density above 20 plants/m². Growers should check seed size and germination rate, and sow enough seed to ensure plant density is at least 20 plants/m².

It can be tempting to select a small-seeded faba bean variety (e.g. FBA Ayla) to simplify sowing but these varieties may not meet the requirements of exporters and hence may not attract higher export prices.

Figure 2. Effect of faba bean plant density on grain yield at Ganmain, 2021-2024.

Variety choice

There are two faba bean breeding programs in Australia, one operated at Narrabri (Northern program) and one in Adelaide (Southern program).

Characteristics of varieties from each program include:

• Northern varieties are generally quicker developing than Southern varieties. This can be a benefit in tight finishes (e.g. Caragabal 2023) but they may not capture the benefits of seasons with kind spring conditions.
• Northern varieties are generally smaller seeded than southern varieties, but there are exceptions, for example PBA Nasma has similar seed size to PBA Samira.
• Northern varieties are more susceptible to Ascochyta blight and slightly more susceptible to chocolate spot than Southern varieties.
• Northern varieties are more resistant to rust than southern varieties.

Across 20 trials from 2022-24 (including NVT and NSW Pulse Agronomy Project), there were 11 trials with site yield <2.5 t/ha. PBA Nasma (representative of Northern program) was higher yielding than PBA Samira in 10/11 of these trials. Where yield was >2.5 t/ha, PBA Samira (representative of Southern program) was higher yielding than PBA Nasma in 6/9 trials.

For growers growing faba beans into low-medium rainfall environments, it may be best to select a northern variety such as PBA Nasma, but in higher rainfall zones with more disease pressure and higher yield potential, PBA Samira and PBA Amberley are better options.

Figure 3. PBA Nasma and PBA Samira grain yield in 20 trials from 2022-24 (including NVT and NSW Pulse Agronomy Project). PBA Nasma & PBA Samira are both Varieties that are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.

Further considerations

There are many factors to consider when growing faba beans, beyond what has been reported here. Some of these factors (e.g. disease management and nutrition management) have been researched in our current NSW Pulse Agronomy project with 2021-2023 reports available. These reports will also provide context to data presented in this paper. There are several links provided at the end of this paper with information to support growers and agronomists get the best out of faba bean production. For relatively inexperienced growers and agronomists, it is important to leverage the knowledge of more experienced peers as much of the information (e.g. seeder set up, seed handling, machinery for soil amelioration, harvest management) is not available in literature.

Overall, faba beans have had solid to excellent results (for yield and system legacy) in the past four seasons, except for very low rainfall situations where other pulses are superior. They should be the first-choice pulse option for cropping focussed growers in medium-high rainfall zones of southern and central NSW. Growers are urged to start small and sort out potential issues before expanding production to a larger scale. This will allow for sustainable growth of the industry with more success on-farm and a gradual increase in overall supply.

References

Brill R, Farquharson L, Sandral G, Moodie M, Street M, O’Brien B, Price T, Haskins B & Whitworth R (2024) Nitrogen balance of pulse species in central and southern NSW. 2024 Grenfell GRDC Update.

Manson J, Denton M, Lake L, Brand J, Taylor J & Sadras V (2024), Benchmarking the response of grain yield to plant population density across environments and management: A case study for faba bean. European Journal of Agronomy, Volume 154.

Further reading

NSW Pulse Agronomy Project Trial Reports

Variety comparisons

Variety details in Winter crop variety sowing guide 2024

Amelioration of subsoil acidity

Managing faba bean diseases

Windrowing faba beans

(Faba beans, Direct Heading vs. Windrowing)

Faba bean inoculation

(Doubling Inoculant Rates - Fact Sheet)

Acknowledgements

The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by the significant contributions of growers through both trial cooperation and the support of the GRDC, the author would like to thank them for their continued support.

Thanks also to technical support from John Snow (Brill Ag) and Scott Boyd (GOA).

Contact details

Rohan Brill
Brill Ag
Email: rohan@brillag.com.au

Date published
February 2025

Varieties displaying this symbol beside them are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.