Their susceptibility to diseases which are common in rapeseed and in sunflower limits their place in a crop rotation with other specialty crops. Since fababeans are slow emergers, time spent in preparing a good seedbed will help reduce problems with fababean and with early weed control. They are a legume and must be inoculated with specific inoculant to promote nitrogen fixation. Although high rates of sowing and narrow rows tend to produce higher yields, seed cost is an important restriction to optimum seeding rate. Planting depth is critical, since the hard, dry seed takes longer to absorb water and germinate than does common bean.
Legumes require neutral to alkaline soil for maximum N fixation by nodule bacteria.
Soils should be tested and, if necessary, limed to at least pH 6.0. Soils need to have P and K soil test levels in the medium to high range to ensure adequate fertility levels for maximum crop yields. These soil test levels are at least 11 ppm P and 81 ppm K depending on subsoil category. 2 O prior to seeding. Nutrients equivalent to crop removal should be applied annually in order to maintain adequate soil test levels.