Seed beetles in faba bean production in North-East Germany

The cultivation of faba beans in North-East Germany faces rising infestations by bean seed beetles (Bruchus rufimanus), causing yield loss and reduced seed quality. Larvae bore into pods and seeds, damaging them and increasing levels of anti-nutritional compounds like vicine and convicine. This threatens food-grade suitability. Field-based insecticide control is ineffective, making resistant varieties the most viable management strategy. Research by Selma Schurack and Anne Zaar at Julius-Kühn-Institut, part of the H2020 Cropdiva project, highlights the need for breeding resistant crops amid the growing area of grain legumes in Germany since 2010.