Abstract
Summary Indeterminate growth habit in Vicia faba is characterised by only a few flowers on each inflorescence forming pods. Removal of the tops of the plants was shown, under some circumstances, markedly to increase the proportion of flowers setting and pods maturing on the remaining inflorescences. A consequence of de-topping was increased leaf longevity, in some cases well beyond ripening of the pods. The consequences of this longevity for leaf efficiency toward the pods they subtended were examined in treatments combining de-topping with partial defoliation. Evidence obtained suggested that leaf longevity does not result in increased efficiency, neither in its influence upon pod set nor pod fill. Where top removal enhances the performance of an inflorescence to or near maximum, the authors conclude that available photosynthetic sources are not in excess of pod requirements.
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