Effects of plant population density on determinate and indeterminate forms of winter field beans (Vicia faba) 1. Yield and yield components

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Using an indeterminate cultivar, Bourdon, and a determinate selection, 858 (provided by Plant Breeding International, Cambridge), of winter field bean, the effect of plant population density on yield was investigated in field trials at the University of Nottingham at Sutton Bonington in three consecutive seasons beginning in 1985/86.Plant morphology had no effect on the optimum plant density, which for both entries lay between 10 and 20 plants/m2. Bourdon yielded significantly more (2 t/ha, on average) than 858 and this was attributable to more pods/pod-bearing stem, more seeds/pod and heavier seeds. Selection 858 was also less winter hardy.Yield was most closely correlated with number of seeds/plant, but other components were almost as important, highlighting the plasticity of yield in Vicia faba and the difficulties in attempting to increase yield by selecting for particular components of yield.In contrast to spring beans, the indeterminate cultivar of winter field bean produced as many branches as the determinate entry and both produced fewer branches at higher densities. There was no difference between the two growth habits in the relative contribution of each stem class to the yield of the whole plant. Higher-order branches contributed less than the main stem to final yield.