To evaluate the yield influence of granular inoculants and nitrogen fertiliser applied to faba beans grown under surface irrigation.

• Applying Nodulator granular inoculant at recommended rates led to a significant increase in nodulation, compared to the untreated plots, but did not increase yield.
• Increasing the rate of Nodulator to double or triple the recommended rate had no additional effect on nodulation, compared to the standard rate.
• Applying nitrogen fertiliser (40kg N/ha) at sowing had no negative effect on subsequent nodulation and increased grain yield by 0.96 - 1.39 t/ha compared to treatments where no nitrogen was applied, however the more variable nature of the trial meant that the
advantage not statistically significant.
• Applying nitrogen at pod set increased grain yield by 0.22 – 0.65 t/ha compared to treatments where no nitrogen was applied, however again this yield advantage was not statistically significant.
• Although there were no significant differences between dry matter and nitrogen offtake at flowering, there was a trend for more dry matter and nitrogen in the dry matter at flowering where nitrogen had been applied at sowing.