In order to investigate the effects of biological stress resulting from broad bean intensification, two field experiments were conducted during the two successive winter seasons of 2022/23 and 2023/24. It was tested on five different plant densities (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5) to see what happened to growth, physiological traits, yield, and water productivity. The densities were 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 plants per emitter, which equaled 120, 100, 80, 60, and 40 (×103 plants fed-1).
The results showed that the broad bean most of growth characters all growth stages especially dry matter accumulation were significantly affected by planting density. Under all rates of plant densities, the broad bean leaves significantly contained greater concentrations of photosynthetic pigments.75 days after sowing, the leaves of broad bean plants expanded to their maximum, showing the highest LAI values in higher planting densities than in lower densities. After that, they declined in the subsequent growth stage. Growth analysis revealed that at the (60–75 day) growth stage, NAR, RGR, and CGR attained their maximum rates. The data also show that on the contrary of the low NAR and RGR values at the highest density, CGR values took a reversible magnitude. The seed yield per plant (gm) went up a lot at the lowest planting density, D5 (4 plants per emitter). At the highest planting density, 12 plants per emitter, the seed yield per plant went down the most. Planting broad beans at D1 and D2 planting densities resulted in producing highest seed yield