This investigation was conducted at the Agric. Exp. and Res. Center Fac. Agric., Cairo Univ., Egypt, during 1999/2000 and 2000/ 2001 seasons, to study
phenological stages and yield response of faba bean to sowing dates and plant
distribution patterns. The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with four
replications. The main plots were allocated with the three sowing dates, early (Oct.,
10), mid (Nov., 10) and late (Dec., 10). The sub-plots were occupied with the six plant
distribution patterns. Three sowing dates were early (Oct10.), mid (Nov10) and late
(Decf O.). Six plant distribution patterns were 60 x 10 with 2 pI.! hill on single row
ridge (01), 60 x 20 with 2 pI. on double row ridge (02), 60 x30 with 3 pI.! hill on triple
row ridge (03), 90 x 10 with 3 pI.! hill on single row ridge (0₄),90 x 20 with 3 pI.! hill on
double row ridge (05) and 90 x 30 with 3 pI.! hill on triple row ridge (Ds) The
phenological stages were: 1- Emergence (V₁): 50% of the plants reached full unfolding of the 1⁵¹leaf.
2- Flowering bud (V2): when the 1⁵¹flower bud was visible. 3- First flower (V3): when the 1⁵¹flower was fully unfolded. 4- 50% flowering (V₄). 5- Last faded (Vs): when last flower of the main shoot wasfaded.
6- Ripening (Vs): when 75% of pods were black. The results showed that number of days (NO) for V1 and V2. were increased
as sowing was delayed. On the other hand, NO for V3. V₄ and Vs were reduced as
sowing was delayed. Late sowing (Dec.f O) consumed the highest total sunshine
hours (TBSSH) at stages of V1, V2, V4 and Vs, while mid sowing (Nov.1 0) consumed
the highest TBSSH at V3 and Vs.Early sowing consumed the greatest photothermal
units (PTU) at V₁ and V2, while late sowing had the greatest PTU at Vs and Vs
Maximum LAI was recorded at 105 days in Oct. and Nov. sowings, while in Dec.
sowing maximum LAI was recorded at 90 days after sowing. The best yield
components i.e. number of pods one m², seed index, seed yieldl plant and number of
planU m² as well as yields of seeds and straw/fad resulted from Nov. sowing. Plant distribution patterns had no significant effect on NO for all growth
stages. 60 x 20 x 2 pI.! hill on double row ridge consumed the highest TBSSH, PTU.
The same plant distribution gave the highest LAI as well as the best yield components
and the highest seed yieldl fad. The interactions between sowing dates and distribution patterns had a
significant effect on some growth attributes and seed yield per fad in both seasons.
The highest seed yields/ fad 718.08 and 711.03 resulted from 02 with Nov. sowing in
the first and second seasons, respectively.