Profitability of growing field beans Vicia faba var. minor L. for seeds depending on the application of symbiotic bacteria

Abstract

The profitability of faba bean cultivation in Poland depends on many factors. The aim of the conducted research was to determine the effect of applying two preparations containing bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen on the profitability of faba bean seed production. The profitability analysis was carried out based on the results of research from the experiment conducted in 2022–2023 in the fields of the Scientific and Didactic Station in Swojczyce belonging to the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław. The size of the obtained seed yield from 1 ha, the selling price of seeds and the level of financial support for the cultivation of legumes for seeds were considered the main determinants conditioning the profitability of faba bean production in Poland. The application of symbiotic bacteria in faba bean cultivation technology can contribute to a significant increase in seed yields, which, however, does not guarantee satisfactory financial results for its producers. Currently, in order to obtain income from faba bean cultivation together with subsidies for the production of legumes for seeds, it is necessary to obtain seed yields at
a level exceeding 3.5 tons per hectare.