Yield formation in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Abstract

Seven varieties of common buckwheat were tested in field experiments under two levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0 and 50 kg N ha-1) during the period 1998-2000. The objective of the experiments was to evaluate the influence of varieties, fertilisation andyear on the formation of yield components in common buckwheat and to evaluate the relationships between the individual components. As was observed, a compensatory ability exists among the particular yield components. An increase in stand density reduces branching and the number of inflorescences per plant. The number of flowers in the raceme is influenced by the mean day temperature during the period from flower bud formation to the beginning of flowering (r = -0.98, P < 0.01). Rainfall during flowering negatively influenced the number of achenes per plant. The high number of flowers reduced seed setting and negatively influenced the yield due to competition for assimilates. The high number of achenes per plant was linked to lower weight (r = -0.33, P < 0.05). The occurrence of empty achenes was a result of the susceptibility of the plants to the temperature conditions during the achene maturation period (r = 0.86, P < 0.05). The main yield component determining the yield was the number of fully developed achenes per plant.