Louhi is a very high yielding new faba bean variety that brings a significant yield improvement compared to Kontu — bred with Boreal’s Nordic expertise for northern conditions.
Louhi is bred for northern conditions and has the same growth duration as Kontu.
Louhi has produced nearly 10% higher yields than Kontu in Finnish official trials. Its yield level has been higher in all zones and soil types in both test years (2013 and 2014). Louhi’s thousand seed weight in trials has been 400 g, about 60 g higher than Kontu. Its seed size is smaller than that of foreign varieties tested in Finland.
Louhi is well suited for feed for pigs and ruminants. In poultry feed, Louhi is recommended to max 5% of total feed. Louhi is also suitable for food use like Kontu.
Louhi is as tall as Kontu, but lodging has occurred less frequently.
Resistance to grey mould and chocolate spot is slightly better than Kontu.
Louhi is suitable for production in Finnish cultivation zones I–III. On heavy clay and silt soils, 30–40 kg/ha starter nitrogen may be applied. Otherwise, no nitrogen is needed due to strong biological nitrogen fixation. Potassium and phosphorus requirements are similar to feed cereals.
Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd — breeding for northern conditions Line number: BOR 11002 Added to the National List of Plant Varieties: 2015
Source: Official variety trials 2016–2023, px.luke.fi
Official variety trials 2017 – 2024, px.luke.fi, (M) = Standard variety
Plant Breeder
Forage grasses, pea, faba bean
