High heating costs and a limited selection of plants, which can be grown in unheated greenhouses, are the main reasons why these remain unused during the winter months in Slovenia. The aim of the study was to find out if broad bean (Vicia faba L.) could be cultivated in unheated greenhouses through winter in Slovenia and produce sufficient crop. This vegetable would be favorable for sowing also because of the positive effect in crop rotation. The experiment was initiated on November 22nd 2017 in an unheated glasshouse located at laboratory fields of the Department of Agronomy at the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana. Two broad bean varieties were compared: 'Aguadulce Supersimonia' and 'Dreifach Weiße'. Broad beans were sown at a distance of 33 × 15 cm; each varietyin 6 repetitions. Three plots per each variety were covered with light textile cover, and the rest of the plots were left uncovered. Covered plants exhibited faster initial plant height, but in the course of intensive growth, the difference was reduced. Temperature and humidity were measured during the entire course of the experiment. Winter was warmer than the long-term average, but February was colder than average. Nevertheless, no signs of cold-damage were detected on broad bean plants. 100 % germination rate was only detected in one plot sown with 'Dreifach Weiße' seeds, but the plants from this plot also exhibited the lowest average plant height. The yield of 'Aguadulce Supersimonia' variety at milk-wax maturity was comparable among covered (80.4 kg/100 m2 plots) and uncovered plots (82.3 kg/100 m2) However, 'Dreifach Weiße' variety produced up to 25 kg more crop per 100 m2 if the plots were covered with textile. 'Aguadulce Supersimonia' dry seeds yield was for 1.1 kg per 100 m2 higher for the covered plots compared to uncovered plots. Higher differences in dry seeds yield were detected in 'Dreifach Weiße' variety, which produced 26.8 kg more crop per 100 m2 in covered plots.
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