American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2020; 8(3): 58-63 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajaf doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20200803.11 ISSN: 2330-8583 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8591 (Online) Effects of Planting Depth on Germination and Growth of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) at Fitche, Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia Endalkachew Baye * , Zebiba Ebirahim, Naol Kasahun, Nebiyat Wasyihun, Kebede Siyum, Dinknesh Yachiso, Zenash Tiruneh, Bosena Fekadu Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Salale University, Fitch, Ethiopia Email address: To cite this article: Endalkachew Baye, Zebiba Ebirahim, Naol Kasahun, Nebiyat Wasyihun, Kebede Siyum, Dinknesh Yachiso, Zenash Tiruneh, Bosena Fekadu. Effects of Planting Depth on Germination and Growth of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) at Fitche, Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. Vol. 8, No. 3, 2020, pp. 58-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20200803.11 Received: February 3, 2020; Accepted: April 13, 2020; Published: May 28, 2020 Abstract: The depth of sowing is important in maximizing the potential of seedling emergence and crop growth. Too shallow sowing results in poor germination due to inadequate soil moisture at the top soil layer. On the other hand, deep sowing can also significantly reduce crop emergence and growth. It would create the emergence seedling had less performance and productive which means when it is too deep is not able lift its cotyledon above the soil, soil born diseases and insects have damage their seedling. These factors limit the crop yield potential right from the starting of the growing. An important objective of seeding for improved crop performance is putting seeds at a desired depth. Seeds should be sown at a depth that increases the likelihood of germination, emergence and improved growth. Thus, this study examined the effect of different sowing depths on germination and growth faba bean (Gorra variety) at Fitche, central Ethiopia. A randomized complete block design arrangement with three replications was used for the experiment. The treatments consisted of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 cm sowing depths. Analysis of variance showed significant effect of depth of sowing on Gorra faba bean variety germination and growth. Sowing at a depth of 8 cm showed better germination percentage, fast emergence and produced the tallest plant having the highest number of leaves per plant. 12 cm sowing depth (i.e. the deepest sowing depth) showed poor germination percentage (65.7%), late emergence (7 days) and gave the shortest plant (13.53 cm) with the lowest number of leaves per plant (21). Therefore, better germination, emergence and improved growth, Gorra faba bean variety should be sown at a depth of 8 cm. Keywords: Faba Bean, Germination, Gorra, Growth, Sowing Depth 1. Introduction Faba bean (Vicia faba L., 2n = 12), is a legume member belonging to the family of Fabaceae. [14, 13]. It is assigned to the Central Asian, Mediterranean, and South American centers of diversity and believed to be a native to North Africa and southwest Asia, and extensively cultivated elsewhere [32]. [7] postulated a Near Eastern center of origin, with four extents to Europe along the North African coast to Spain, along the Nile to Ethiopia, and from Mesopotamia to India. Secondary centers of diversity are postulated in Afghanistan and Ethiopia. However, [12] reported the origin to be Central Asia. The crop is known by many names, most of which refer to a particular subgroup rather than the whole species [16]. Faba bean, Fava bean, Broad bean, Horse bean, Windsor bean, Tick beans (small types), Bakela (Ethiopia), Boby kurmouvje (former USSR), Faveira (Portugal), Ful masri (Sudan), Feve (French) and Yeshil Bakla (Turkey) are the few names used in different parts of world [20; 24]. Field beans are plants which are widely used all around the world. It is the third most important leguminous plant after soybeans (Glycine max L.) and peas (Pisum sativum L.) [26]. Presently, faba beans are major crop in many countries including China, Ethiopia and Egypt, and are widely grown for human food throughout the Mediterranean region and in parts of Latin America [21]. China is major shareholder in production with 60% [10]. World average of faba bean