Flower and pod production inPhaseolus vulgaris

Summary A series of glasshouse and growth-cabinet experiments were carried out to investigate aspects of flower and pod production inPhaseolus vulgarisL. (French bean). Abscission of flowers and immature pods varied between 45 and 80% in the seven cultivars tested, with flowers which opened first being most likely to produce mature pods. Seed yield was only slightly reduced and sometimes increased by the removal of opened flowers for periods of up to 15 days from the start of anthesis depending on the conditions under which plants are grown. It was demonstrated that plants compensated for flower removal by setting pods from flowers which opened later. Similarly, when opened flowers were removed from alternate nodes plants compensated by setting pods from flowers which opened on nodes not being deflowered. The physiological basis for premature abscission of reproductive structures in grain legumes is discussed.