Abstract: | Oil content has been found to range from 1.2–1.9% in a wide range of diverse field bean (Vicia faba) cultivars, populations and selections and from 1.4–2.8% in a narrower range of pea cultivars. The ranges in fatty acid composition for beans and peas respectively were palmitic, 13.9–21.0% and 12.0–16.6%, stearic 2.2–3.5% and 2.5–4.2%, oleic 15.0–33.0% and 14.2–33.3%, linoleic 41.3–59.7% and 43.7–60.9%, linolenic 2.6–4.9% and 6.4–13.4%. Environment exerted a significant effect on the oil content of field beans but cultivar differences remained apparent. The analysis of whole or milled field beans stored for up to 5 years showed only minor losses of oil and component fatty acids. In both species over 90% of the total oil content was found in the cotyledons. Cultivar differences in whole grain oil content were associated with the concentration of oil in the cotyledons and appeared independent of the relative proportions of either embryo or seed coat. The interrelationships between oil content and other seed characteristics were also determined and the significance of these results in relation to plant breeding are discussed. |