Documenting the Production Process of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Gorgan, Ali Abadkatol and Aqqola Regions

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

IntroductionDocumenting the production process in agriculture includes gathering all the information and activities that show the production process of a product from the stage of seed bed preparation to harvesting. In this view, the farm is considered as a production unit, and all processes from the time of preparation of this production unit for cultivation until the product leaves the farm after harvesting are included in the scope of documentation. Considering that the management of the production process in agricultural systems has a significant effect on the quantity of yield, production efficiency, the efficiency of input consumption and finally the environmental effects of production, monitoring and improving the processes leading to the production of agricultural products in order to reduce the challenges associated with agricultural management in Agricultural systems are inevitable. From a scientific point of view, it is possible to improve such management processes by using various techniques, among which continuous improvement and re-engineering of processes are among the most important ones. Golestan province is considered one of the most important areas for the production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in the country due to the climate and soil conditions, therefore, without a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural operations, it is difficult to take steps to meet the needs of farmers and eliminate production obstacles. In this study, it is tried that all the researchers and farmers become familiar with the production process of faba bean in Golestan province in an integrated and documented manner and this research is a basis for effective planning to meet the needs of farmers, reduce the consumption of inputs and reduce the environmental effects by changing the method it will be farm management. Materials and MethodsThis research was carried out in two crop years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in Golestan province and in Gorgan, Aliabad Katul and Aqqola cities. To document the production and analyze the performance gap, 445 farms that had sufficient diversity in different aspects, including farm management, were selected, and all information related to the farm and production management was collected using questionnaires, observations and measurements. In each region, every year, different fields were examined in terms of agricultural management factors, and observations related to the field, planting, planting and harvesting were recorded. In order to analyze the data, absolute and cumulative frequency distribution was used. In these investigations, the scope of changes and the method of performing each management operation performed in the bean farms and also the proportion of farmers who used different methods of each of these management operations were determined. Results and Discussion The results showed that soybeans are cultivated more than other crops (41%) before faba bean. Faba bean is planted in these areas between 14 October and 25 November. In these areas, 97% of farmers use reversible plows (one to two times) to prepare the bean planting bed. The amount of seed used is in the range of 60 to 100 kg.ha-1, and in 56% of the fields it is planted with a linear machine, in 43% with a row machine, and in 2% by hand spraying and then mixing the seeds with the soil using a disc. According to the distribution of rainfall in the region, 92% of faba bean cultivation is carried out under rainfed condition. Farmers use 0 to 115 kg.ha-1 of pure nitrogen fertilizers, 0 to 96 kg ha-1 of pure phosphorus and 0 to 72 kg.ha-1 of pure potassium fertilizers to meet their fertilizer needs. Investigations showed that pesticides were used in 338 out of 445 farms, herbicides were used in 356 farms, and fungicides were used in 293 farms, and the number of times pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides were used varied between 1 and 3 times. Faba bean is harvested in these areas from late April to early June, depending on weather conditions, planting date and variety. The yield of faba bean varied from 780 to 4187 kg.ha-1. ConclusionsThe results of this research can clarify the details of the faba bean production process for students and researchers to carry out future projects and also provide information on the common consumption of inputs to those interested and be useful in the implementation of growth and yield simulation plans under common conditions by means of average crop plants.