Pollination as a factor limiting the yield of field beans (Vicia faba L.)

Summary Self-pollinating and cross-pollinating by hand samples of flowers in field bean crops usually gave an increased set of seed compared with control flowers left to be pollinated naturally. Hence, insect pollination of field bean crops is often inadequate. In large fields of more than 12 ha the seed yield was greater by plants near the edge than near the centre. Fewer pods were produced from nodes at the upper than the lower parts of a stem, and they contained fewer seeds which were of a smaller size.