HDC-funded research offers growers first independent evaluation of broad bean varieties in over a decade

Growers can now access the first independent evaluation of broad bean varieties in over a decade, thanks to new HDC-funded research.

With the development of new varieties during the last 10 years, and the need for these to be evaluated against existing breeds, this latest research means growers now have the latest information at their fingertips.

Completed over 2010 and 2011, the evaluation looked at a wide range of performance areas, such as earliest breeds to mature, those with the highest yield, number of pods per plant, percentage of beans to whole pods and difference in length of snag attachment.

Of the 12 varieties evaluated it was found that Suprifin and Statissa were the highest yielding, Listra had the highest number of pods per plant and Monica and Witkiem Manita were the earliest to mature.

With varietal selection a key element of broad bean crop production, ensuring a programmed harvest period and to maintain high quality produce, the findings will help producers correctly integrate broad beans into drilling and harvesting programmes.

HDC Knowledge Transfer Manager Rosie Atwood said, “This new research is another example of the HDC delivering for growers. This is the first independent assessment of broad bean varieties in over a decade and the findings will help improve production efficiency. A factsheet outlining the results has been sent directly to growers and is available on the HDC website.”

Matthew Hayward of Swaythorpe Growers said, “As there hasn’t been any independent evaluation of broad bean varieties carried out in the UK for over 10 years, this work is most valuable and welcomed by the industry. Prior to this all trial work has been carried out in continental Europe under very different climatic conditions to those found in the UK.

“The results of these trials will enable quality and agronomic characteristics to be analysed to enable varieties to be selected that suit UK conditions. Also, some of the quality characteristics could be used to possibly develop new markets for, in my case, frozen broad beans.”

A factsheet (FV 369) has been mailed out to growers in the industry. Growers who have not received a copy, or require extra copies should contact HDC administrator Louise Arculus on 02476 478661 or at louise.arculus@hdc.ahdb.org.uk. Alternatively, log on to www.hdc.org.uk to download a copy.