The response of spring field beans (Vicia faba) (cv. Victor) to irrigation applied before, during and after flowering and in combinations was studied on sandy soils, overlying sand, in Nottinghamshire, England in three years, 1993, 1994 and 1995. Irrigation was only needed pre-flowering in 1995, thus the opportunity to evaluate the effect at this timing was limited. Seasonal rainfall was higher than the long-term 30-year mean in 1993, but lower in 1994 and much lower in 1995.

Irrigation increased spring field bean yield in all three years, even in 1993 when a period of drought post-flowering caused a yield depression of 2 t/ha on unirrigated plots. The yield response for fully irrigated, compared with unirrigated field beans per 25 mm water was 0·34, 0·28 and 0·36 t/ha in 1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively. Irrigation applied during or post-flowering gave statistically significant yield increases and there were indications of greater efficiency of water use from post-flowering applications.