Effects of Climatic Factors on the Growth and Development of the Field Bean (Vicia fabaL. var.minor)

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Abstract
The field bean (V. faba L. var. minor) cv. Pirhonen was grown at 5 equal intervals of constant temperature between 12.degree. and 24.degree. C, with natural day length and insolation. The cultivar Primus was included in a germination experiment, where a 6th temperature level at 6.degree. C was included. The rate of germination, expressed as the reciprocal of days between sowing and emergence, was positively and linearly related to temperature. During most of the following phenological phases the relationship of temperature with the rate of development was curvilineal. However, flower initiation, as assessed by node number at the 1st inflorescence, was significantly promoted by low temperature. No temperature effect on the rate of color change and desiccation of pods was found. The daily rate of elongation of the main shoot increased significantly with temperature from 12.degree.-21.degree. C during the accelerating phase of height growth. During the linear phase only the rise from 15.degree.-18.degree. C produced a significant increase in daily height growth. Nevertheless final heights were greatest at 12.degree. C. Insolation effects on daily height growth during the linear phase changed gradually from simultaneous negatives effects at lower temperatures to lagged positive effects at higher temperatures. The rate of leaf appearance during the accelerating phase of height growth was positively affected by temperature up to 21.degree. C. During the linear phase a positive temperature effect was found at 15.degree.-21.degree. C. Variation in the daily rate of leaf appearance was not related to fluctuations in global radiation. Total dry matter production in the plant-tops decreased with rising temperature, as did seed yield. The number of pods per main shoot and number of seeds in these pods were the main determinants of seed yield at all temperature levels.