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Effects of plant population density on determinate and indeterminate forms of winter field beans (Vicia faba) 2. Growth and development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

C. J. Pilbeam
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
P. D. Hebblethwaite
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
T. E. Nyongesa
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
H. E. Ricketts
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK

Summary

In studies at the University of Nottingham at Sutton Bonington in two consecutive seasons beginning in 1986/87, Bourdon, an indeterminate cultivar, and 858, a determinate selection (provided by Plant Breeding International, Cambridge), were compared under six target plant population densities ranging from 10 to 80 plants/m2.

As the season progressed, total dry matter production increased to a maximum and then declined. However, growth rates slowed at pod set because, it is suggested, of the change in the chemical composition of the newly synthesized biomass, from carbohydrate to protein, at that time. Leaf area duration was greater in Bourdon than in 858, especially during pod set, but it bore no relation to seed yield. Specific leaf area was unaffected by competition for light. It is proposed that changes in plant population density affect the competition for assimilates within a plant rather than the competition for light between different plants. Losses of branches and reproductive nodes, with time, are cited as evidence for this. The apparent causes of the lower yield of determinate forms of winter field bean relative to indeterminate forms are discussed.

Type
Crops and Soils
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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