This is the fourth major publication on Vicia faba reporting proceedings of seminars organised through the Commission of the European Communities in the context of the E.E.C. Common Research Programme on Plant Protein Improvement. The previous three volumes report proceedings from the seminar in Sari in 1978 (Some current research on Vicia faba in Western Europe), and from Cambridge in 1979 (Vicia faba : Feeding value, processing and viruses) and in Wageningen in 1980 (Vicia faba : Physiology and Breeding). The theme of this seminar, held at the University of Nottingham from 14th to 16th September 1983 was selected to examine current research on agronomy, physiology, plant breeding and nutrition. 84 delegates from 15 European countries attended. Throughout the seminar there was a spirit of friendliness and co-operation. Everyone seemed dedicated to doing real justice to the faba bean crop. The organisation of this seminar would not have been possible without the help of my secretary, Mrs. Jeanne Rodwell who undertook most of the administrative and secretarial work. P.D. Hebblethwaite COMPONENTS OF THE YIELD AND YIELD OF VICIA FABA Ph. Plancquaert, J.L. Raphalen Institut Technique des Cereales et des Fourrages 8 Avenue du President Wilson, 75116 Paris, France. ABSTRACT Preliminary experiments have indicated the main factors affecting the yield of winter (6 trials) and spring faba beans (5 trials) : information is presented on the development of pods and flowers, yield and yield components and grain protein content at different locations in France.