Effect of intercropping on the growth and productivity characteristics of three varieties of faba beans (Vicia faba L.)

Field experiment was carried out at the research station of Field Crop Sciences Department / College of Agriculture / University of Diyala for the season 2023/2024. The research aims to study the effect of intercropping systems on growth and yield of beans and their importance in increasing yields, improving soil properties, sustainability, and reducing the cost of agriculture. This experiment included two factors. The first was three varieties of faba beans (local, Dutch Monash, and Spanish Fito). while second factor was the intercropping method (faba beans+ onions, faba beans only). As for onions, the local variety was used. The experiment was carried out according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that the single cropping system (with faba beans only) was significantly superior in terms of the weight of 100 seeds, giving a value of 177 grams, while there were no differences between the single and intercropping system (faba beans + onions) in rest of the studied characteristics. Dutch Monash was superior in plant height (cm), number of seeds per pod, plant yield (g) and weight of 100 seeds (g) amounting to (34.3 cm, 4.7, 109.0 g, 306.0 g) respectively, and the local variety was superior in Characteristics of the number of branches in per plant and the number of pods in per plant, as the values reached (5.4, 6.7), respectively. the interaction between cropping systems and bean varieties, its effects were different on the growth of bean varieties. The Dutch Monash variety grown in the monoculture system gave the highest value for the plant height, which amounted to 35.2 cm, and the weight of 100 seeds amounted to 317.0 g. The same variety in the intercropping system gave the highest value.