Determinate Growth Habit Research Articles

A single nucleotide substitution introducing premature stop codon within CsTFL1 explains the determinate-2 phenotype in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

The determinate growth habit of plants reduces the number of internodes and shortens the main stem by terminating the shoot apical meristem through a transition to inflorescence. Understanding the genetic basis of this habit can help optimize crop yield and cultivation technology for vegetable breeding. This study aimed to identify the determinate-2 (de-2) gene responsible for the determinate growth habit in the W-sk cucumber line. Termination of the main stem in the W-sk line occurred between 14 and 23 internodes, depending on cultivation conditions. Resequencing of the W-sk genome identified a novel SNP in the cucumber TERMINAL FLOWER1 (CsTFL1) gene, explaining the de-2 phenotype. This was verified with a CAPS-T marker cosegregation with determinate growth in the F2:3 population, and this polymorphism is unique among genotyped indeterminate cucumber cultivars or breeding lines. Crossing the W-sk line with the G421 line with the determinate (de) gene confirmed the allelism of both genes. An SNP in CsTFL1 in the W-sk line introduced a premature stop codon, resulting in the putative deletion of 13 amino acids, possibly causing determinate growth habit. Overall, this study provides insights into the genetic basis of cucumber plant growth architecture and advances in cucumber breeding.

Vertical distribution and tissue selection of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) adult oviposition and neonates on soybean with an indeterminate or determinate growth habit.

Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) is a polyphagous pest that can cause serious damage to crops, including soybeans (Glycine max L.). In soybeans with both determinate and indeterminate growth habits, H. zea larvae are more commonly found on leaves compared to blooms, stems, and pods. Past research demonstrated that H. zea adults tend to oviposit near the upper part of the plant canopy in soybeans with a determinate growth habit. However, ovipositional selection on soybeans with an indeterminate growth habit is unknown. We hypothesized that H. zea would oviposit more uniformly throughout the canopy on indeterminate soybean growth habits due to more diffuse reproductive tissue. We planted field and greenhouse experiments with varieties sharing a similar relative maturity (2 maturity group [MG] 5.2 varieties and 2 MG 5.4/5.5 varieties) but with different growth habits. To test oviposition selection, adult H. zea females were allowed to oviposit under field and caged conditions. We counted the number of H. zea eggs and neonates on each plant tissue type from each of 3 equal parts in the plant canopy: upper, middle, and lower. In both experiments, eggs and neonates were most common on leaves at the top of the plant regardless of soybean growth habit. Consequently, ovipositional selection is likely independent of reproductive tissue availability, and patterns of oviposition through the canopy are similar in growth habits. An improved understanding of H. zea ecology in soybeans relative to indeterminate growth habits may improve recommendations for managing this significant pest of soybean.

Introgression of the Self-Pruning Gene into Dwarf Tomatoes to Obtain Salad-Type Determinate Growth Lines.

The use of dwarf plants in tomato breeding has provided several advantages. However, there are no identified dwarf plants (dd) containing the self-pruning habit (spsp). The aim of this work was to obtain future generations, characterize the germplasm, and select potential dwarf plants with a determinate growth habit to obtain Salad-type lines. The work was started by carrying out hybridization, followed by the first, second, and third backcrosses. Once F2BC3 seeds became available, the introgression of the self-pruning gene (spsp) into dwarf plants (dd) began. Three strains of normal architecture and a determinate growth habit were hybridized with two strains of dwarf size and an indeterminate growth habit, thus yielding four hybrids. Additionally, donor genotype UFU MC TOM1, the commercial cultivar Santa Clara, and the wild accession Solanum pennellii were used in the experiment. Agronomic traits, fruit quality, metabolomics, and acylsugars content were evaluated, and dwarf plants with a determinate growth habit were selected. Hybrid 3 exhibited the highest yields. Visual differences between determinate and indeterminate dwarf plant seedlings were observed. It is suggested to carry out five self-pollinations of the best dwarf plant determined and subsequent hybridization with homozygous lines of normal plant architecture and determinate growth habit to obtain hybrids.

Identification of superior haplotypes for flowering time in pigeonpea through candidate gene-based association study of a diverse minicore collection.

In current study candidate gene (261 genes) based association mapping on 144 pigeonpea accessions for flowering time and related traits and 29 MTAs producing eight superior haplotypes were identified. In the current study, we have conducted an association analysis for flowering-associated traits in a diverse pigeonpea mini-core collection comprising 144 accessions using the SNP data of 261 flowering-related genes. In total, 13,449 SNPs were detected in the current study, which ranged from 743 (ICP10228) to 1469 (ICP6668) among the individuals. The nucleotide diversity (0.28) and Watterson estimates (0.34) reflected substantial diversity, while Tajima's D (-0.70) indicated the abundance of rare alleles in the collection. A total of 29 marker trait associations (MTAs) were identified, among which 19 were unique to days to first flowering (DOF) and/or days to fifty percent flowering (DFF), 9 to plant height (PH), and 1 to determinate (Det) growth habit using 3years of phenotypic data. Among these MTAs, six were common to DOF and/or DFF, and four were common to DOF/DFF along with the PH, reflecting their pleiotropic action. These 29 MTAs spanned 25 genes, among which 10 genes clustered in the protein-protein network analysis, indicating their concerted involvement in floral induction. Furthermore, we identified eight haplotypes, four of which regulate late flowering, while the remaining four regulate early flowering using the MTAs. Interestingly, haplotypes conferring late flowering (H001, H002, and H008) were found to be taller, while those involved in early flowering (H003) were shorter in height. The expression pattern of these genes, as inferred from the transcriptome data, also underpinned their involvement in floral induction. The haplotypes identified will be highly useful to the pigeonpea breeding community for haplotype-based breeding.

Selection of colored plastic-mulching films for the production of mini-tomatoes in the field

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of three plastic-mulching films of different colors in the cultivation of mini-tomato in the field. Two experiments were carried out: the first being sown in the summer and the second in the winter. Mini-tomatoes plants with distinct growing habit (determinate and indeterminate) were used and three plastic-mulching film color (black, black/silver, black/white) compared to control (uncovered soil) were tested. The design was in randomized blocks, 2x4 factorial schemes, with four repetitions. Soil temperature, productivity performance and quality of mini-tomatoes were determined. The plastic-mulching films increase the average soil temperature according to the color used. In summer, although small, the black/silver film improves the productive capacity of the mini-tomato with determined growth habit; however, none affects the total soluble solids content. In winter, the black plastic-mulching film favored the soluble solids content of both genotypes and the productivity of the indeterminate. The black plastic-mulching film is suggested as soil cover to produce mini-tomatoes in field conditions during the winter. In summer, low fruit yield quality can makes this technique unfeasible under field conditions.

Development of ‘TN16‐520R1’: A drought‐tolerant soybean cultivar with glyphosate resistance

AbstractThe glyphosate‐tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] line ‘TN16‐520R1’ (Reg. no. CV‐560, PI 703273) was released as a high‐yielding cultivar by University of Tennessee Agricultural Research in 2018. TN16‐520R1 is a BC4F2 cultivar derived from the recurrent parent ‘Ellis’, with drought tolerance and a maturity group (MG) of V‐early. It has white flowers, gray pubescence, tan podwall, and a determinate growth habit. The seed has buff hila, is yellow with smooth seed coat, and contains 40% protein and 22% oil on a dry weight basis. TN16‐520R1 has good resistance to lodging and good seed quality (1.8 and 1.6, respectively, on 1–5 scale), and a seed size of 11.8 g per 100 seed. Like Ellis, TN16‐520R1 has performed competitively throughout much of the mid‐South United States over several years, with testing occurring over a 6‐year period in 100 environments. Further, TN16‐520R1 is remarkably like the recurrent parent Ellis for yield, maturity, lodging, height, protein, and oil. Also, like Ellis, TN16‐520R1 is resistant to stem canker [caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum (Cooke & Ellis) Sacc. var. caulivora K.L. Athow & R.M. Caldwell] and southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] and has field tolerance to frogeye leafspot [caused by Cercospora sojina (Hara)]. This combination of beneficial traits and broad adaptability make TN16‐520R1 an excellent choice as a soybean cultivar for producers or a crossing parent for breeders.

Registration of R16‐45 as a flood‐tolerant, high‐yielding soybean germplasm line

AbstractR16‐45 (Reg. no. GP‐526, PI 704118) is a high‐yielding soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding line with flood tolerance at early reproductive stages released as germplasm by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. It is an F2 selection from the cross between the flood‐tolerant breeding line R07‐6669 and the high‐yielding Arkansas cultivar ‘UA 5612’. R16‐45 is a conventional (non‐genetically modified) soybean with a relative maturity of 5.6. Plants have determinate growth habit, white flower color, and buff hilum color. It has gray pubescence, tan pod wall at maturity, and yellow cotyledons with a dull yellow seed coat. R16‐45 showed high yield potential and broad adaptability across 17 environments in Arkansas and other southern states, with an average of 4145 kg ha−1 (95.3% of the checks’ mean). Six years of field evaluations for flooding tolerance showed that R16‐45 is consistently tolerant to 8‐to‐10‐day flooding stress at the R1/R2 growth stages (average flood damage score of 3.6, compared with 6.0 from the reference checks). In addition, R16‐45 is resistant to stem canker. Given substantial yield losses associated with flooding stress and stem canker, R16‐45 is a valuable germplasm source for public and private soybean breeding programs attempting to incorporate novel genetic diversity into their breeding pipeline.

What are the impacts of water deficit, cultivars, and agricultural years on the dynamics of nutrient uptake by common bean? Part I: n, P, and K

Knowing the effect of water deficit intensity on the nutrient uptake dynamics by common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits in different years is necessary to appraise and recommend more specific fertilization management practices. A field study was carried out in the Southeast of Brazil for two years aiming to explain and compare the accumulation and extraction of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from two common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits as a function of water deficit severity. The common bean cultivars IAC Imperador and IPR Campos Gerais, with determinate and indeterminate growth habits, respectively, were evaluated. Both cultivars were submitted to three irrigation management practices: severe water deficit (54% of the crop evapotranspiration – ETc), moderate water deficit (77% of ETc), and no water deficit (100% of ETc). Overall, the severe water deficit reduced N, P, and K accumulation in the common bean cultivars by 26, 37, and 23%, respectively. Under no water deficit, IPR Campos Gerais showed higher accumulation of biomass and nutrients N (27%) and P (42%) compared to IAC Imperador, in addition to higher interannual variability in the accumulation of nutrients. The maximum daily demand for nutrients N, P, and K of IAC Imperador was anticipated in 9, 13 and 11 days, respectively, compared to IPR Campos Gerais. Irrigation management, cultivar, and climate of the agricultural year are important factors in decision-making for the most adequate establishment of fertilization with N, P, and K in common bean.

Release of UPR‐Mp‐37 and UPR‐Mp‐48 white common bean germplasm with improved resistance to ashy stem blight

AbstractWhite common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding lines (BL) UPR‐Mp‐37 (Reg. no. GP‐315, PI 703030), and UPR‐Mp‐48 (Reg. no. GP‐316, PI 703031) with improved resistance to ashy stem blight [caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich] were developed at the University of Puerto Rico. Both these BL had lower severity (mean scores of 4.1–4.7) to PRI21 M. phaseolina isolate compared with white common bean genotypes ‘Bella’, ‘Beníquez’, NY6020‐4, and ‘Verano’ that had a susceptible response (scores >7.0). UPR‐Mp‐37 was selected from the cross NY6020‐4/A 195//SEA 5 while UPR‐Mp‐48 was derived from the common bean population BAT 477/NY6020‐4//PRA154. UPR‐Mp‐37 has an indeterminate growth habit type III, initiates flowering at 30 days after planting, reaches harvesting maturity at 89 days, and has an average weight of 27.4 g per 100 seed. UPR‐Mp‐48 has a determinate growth habit type I, initiates flowering and matures at 33 and 85 days after planting, respectively, and has an average weight of 29.6 g per 100 seed. Both BL had over 800 kg ha−1 seed yields in Isabela, Puerto Rico. The resistance of UPR‐Mp‐37 and UPR‐Mp‐48 BL can be introgressed into susceptible white beans to reduce the disease severity.

Registration of soybean germplasm line R14‐1422 with high yield and moderate resistance to southern root knot nematode

AbstractR14‐1422 (Reg. no. GP‐523, PI 702562) is a mid‐maturity group (MG) V (relative maturity 5.4), determinate growth habit, high‐yielding, conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line developed and released in 2021 by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. R14‐1422 is an F4 selection from the cross between ‘R06‐4433’, a cultivar released by Arkansas, and the Missouri cultivar ‘S05‐11482’. Trial results of over 74 environments in Arkansas and other southern states showed that R14‐1422 is well adapted and provides high‐yielding performance. R14‐1422 is a MG V (5.4), line with determinate growth habit, white flowers, gray pubescence, and a tan pod wall at maturity. Seed of R14‐1422 has yellow cotyledon, yellow seed coat, and buff hilum color. R14‐1422 has high yield potential and moderate resistance to southern root‐knot nematode and is a chloride excluder.

Characterization of CcTFL1 Governing Plant Architecture in Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.).

Growth habits are among the essential adaptive traits acted upon by evolution during plant speciation. They have brought remarkable changes in the morphology and physiology of plants. Inflorescence architecture varies greatly between wild relatives and cultivars of pigeon pea. The present study isolated the CcTFL1 (Terminal Flowering Locus 1) locus using six varieties showing determinate (DT) and indeterminate (IDT) growth habits. Multiple alignments of CcTFL1 sequences revealed the presence of InDel, which describes a 10 bp deletion in DT varieties. At the same time, IDT varieties showed no deletion. InDel altered the translation start point in DT varieties, resulting in the shortening of exon 1. This InDel was validated in ten varieties of cultivated species and three wild relatives differing in growth habits. The predicted protein structure showed the absence of 27 amino acids in DT varieties, which was reflected in mutant CcTFL1 by the absence of two α-helices, a connecting loop, and shortened β-sheet. By subsequent motif analysis, it was found that the wild-type protein had a phosphorylation site for protein kinase C, but the mutant protein did not. In silico analysis revealed that the InDel-driven deletion of amino acids spans, containing a phosphorylation site for kinase protein, may have resulted in the non-functionality of the CcTFL1 protein, rendering the determinate growth habit. This characterization of the CcTFL1 locus could be used to modulate growth habits through genome editing.

Mapping of genomic regions associated with dwarfing and the determinate growth habit in horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum)

Mapping of genomic regions associated with dwarfing and the determinate growth habit in horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum)

Registration of ‘S11‐17025C’ soybean: A high‐yielding and high‐oil conventional cultivar with broad resistance to diseases and nematodes

AbstractThe soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] cultivar ‘S11‐17025C’ (Reg. no. CV‐558, PI 701486) was developed and released by the University of Missouri‐Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center (MU‐FDREEC). S11‐17025C is a conventional, early maturity group V (relative maturity, 5.2) with high yield potential with a determinate growth habit. It is a chloride excluder for tolerance to high‐chloride field conditions. It has broad disease resistance, including soybean cyst nematode races 1 (HG type 2.5.7), 2 (HG type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG type 5.7), and 5 (HG type 2.5.7); southern root‐knot nematode; reniform nematode; and sudden death syndrome. S11‐17025C was tested in 133 environments across 10 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, in 2012–2016. It was evaluated in yield tests at the MU‐FDREEC (2012–2016), USDA Uniform Soybean tests (2013–2016), and soybean state variety tests (2015 and 2016). S11‐17025C yielded 104% of the commercial check mean across multiple environments. 17025C has broad adaptation across the Mid‐south where growers may benefit from premium prices offered for conventional soybeans. S11‐17025C can also serve as germplasm for use in crosses in breeding programs.

Performance of determinate and indeterminate RILs of Indian bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet)

Growth habit is an important agronomic trait that affects the production and productivity of crop plants including pulses. A preferential shift towards the determinate growth habit types in pulses along with photo-insensitiveness was observed due to their reduced branching, shorter internodes, resistance to lodging, shortened flowering period with synchronized flowering and maturity, and also due to its suitability for mechanical harvesting. In Indian bean, recently few determinate genotypes were released for cultivation nevertheless, most of the wild types and landraces are indeterminate in growth habit. The present study performed the phenotypic evaluation of determinate and indeterminate genotypes in F7 RILs of determinate x indeterminate crosses, which revealed some of the significant observations on flowering time, plant height, number of racemes produced, and several important yield-related traits in Indian bean. This information could be utilized for selecting the best plant type, optimum plant density, and preferable crop geometry in the cultivation of Indian bean varieties.

Registration of UPR‐Mp‐34 and UPR‐Mp‐42 common bean germplasm with enhanced resistance to ashy stem blight

AbstractCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding lines (BL) UPR‐Mp‐34 (Reg no. CV‐313, PI 701379) and UPR‐Mp‐42 (Reg no. CV‐314, PI 701380) were developed at the University of Puerto Rico. UPR‐Mp‐34 was derived from A 195/‘PC 50’//SEA 5, and UPR‐Mp‐42 was developed from BAT 477/NY6020‐4//PRA154 common bean populations. Both BL have intermediate levels of resistance (mean scores, 4–6) to two inoculations of the PRI21 Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich isolate (the causal agent of ashy stem blight) compared with BAT 477, SEA 5, TARS‐MST1, and XAN 176, which mostly had susceptible scores (7–9) in the greenhouse and field evaluations. UPR‐Mp‐34 has an indeterminate growth habit Type III, has a cream seed (average weight, 26.5 g per 100 seeds), initiates flowering at 32 d after planting, and reaches harvesting maturity at 86 d. Mean seed yield was 730 and 340 kg ha−1 in Isabela and Lajas, respectively. UPR‐Mp‐42 possesses black seed (23.8 g per 100 seeds), has a determinate growth habit Type I, initiates flowering at 30 d, and matures at 76 d. Mean seed yield was 750 kg ha−1 in both locations. The intermediate levels of ashy stem blight resistance from both BL could be combined with other sources of resistance and introgressed into common bean cultivars from different market classes.

Irrigation management of common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits

A study was undertaken comparing the water requirements of two common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars to generate specific recommendations aimed at optimizing water use. To accomplish this work, the agronomic performance, responsiveness to water and water productivity of these two common bean cultivars of determinate and indeterminate growth habits were identified. The 2-year experiment was carried out during the winter growing season in the southeast of Brazil. Cultivars IAC Imperador, with an early season of determinate growth habit, and IPR Campos Gerais, having a mid-season of indeterminate growth habit, were subjected to five irrigation levels (54, 70, 77, 100, and 132 % of the crop evapotranspiration). Water deficit affected agronomic performance, reducing plant height (by up to 29 %), leaf area index (by up to 40 %), soil cover fraction (by up to 28 %), and grain yield (GY - by up to 31 %), in both cultivars. In contrast, excess water was more detrimental to cultivar IAC Imperador. Cultivar IPR Campos Gerais produced 18 % more than GY, showing superior water productivity and response to irrigation depth than IAC Imperador. Out of all the variables evaluated, the soil cover fraction correlated the most with grain yield in both common bean cultivars during the 2-year study. In other words, cover fraction evaluation in common bean allows for estimating crop production potential, which helps producers and technicians in their decision making regarding management practices. Thus, a cultivar directly affects water use in common bean production, thereby suggesting the need for a or water conservation strategy and sustainability of irrigated common bean production.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutation of the E1 decreases photoperiod sensitivity, alters stem growth habits, and decreases branch number in soybean.

The distribution of elite soybean (Glycine max) cultivars is limited due to their highly sensitive to photoperiod, which affects the flowering time and plant architecture. The recent emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has uncovered new opportunities for genetic manipulation of soybean. The major maturity gene E1 of soybean plays a critical role in soybean photoperiod response. Here, we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutation of E1 gene in soybean cultivar Tianlong1 carrying the dominant E1 to investigate its precise function in photoperiod regulation, especially in plant architecture regulation. Four types of mutations in the E1 coding region were generated. No off-target effects were observed, and homozygous trans-clean mutants without T-DNA were obtained. The photoperiod sensitivity of e1 mutants decreased relative to the wild type plants; however, e1 mutants still responded to photoperiod. Further analysis revealed that the homologs of E1, E1-La, and E1-Lb, were up-regulated in the e1 mutants, indicating a genetic compensation response of E1 and its homologs. The e1 mutants exhibited significant changes in the architecture, including initiation of terminal flowering, formation of determinate stems, and decreased branch numbers. To identify E1-regulated genes related to plant architecture, transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to compare the gene expression profiles in the stem tip of the wild-type soybean cultivar and the e1 mutants. The expression of shoot identity gene Dt1 was significantly decreased, while Dt2 was significantly upregulated. Also, a set of MADS-box genes was up-regulated in the stem tip of e1 mutants which might contribute to the determinate stem growth habit.

Registration of ‘S11‐16653C’ soybean: A high‐yielding conventional cultivar with broad resistance to diseases and nematodes

AbstractThe soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] line S11‐16653C (Reg. no. CV‐554, PI 700000) was developed and released as a cultivar by the University of Missouri, Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center (MU‐FDREEC). S11‐16653C is an early maturity group V (relative maturity 5.3), high‐yielding conventional (non‐genetically modified) cultivar with determinate growth habit. It is a chloride excluder and has a broad disease resistance package, including soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) races 1 (HG type 2.5.7), 2 (HG type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG type 5.7), 5 (HG type 2.5.7), southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofold & White) Chitwood], peanut root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood], reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliveira), stem canker (Diaporthe aspalathi Jansen, Castlebury & Crous), Phytophthora root rot (caused by Phytophthora sojae M.J.Kaufmann & J.W.Gerdemann), and sudden death syndrome (Fusarium virguliforme O'Donell & T. Aoki). S11‐16653C was tested in 78 locations across nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) from 2012 to 2016. It was entered in internal yield tests at the MU‐FDREEC (2012–2014), USDA Uniform Soybean Tests (2014–2016), and soybean state variety tests (2015). It showed consistent high‐yielding performance and broad adaptability throughout the trials and locations. Overall, S11‐16653C is a high‐yielding conventional soybean cultivar that has potential for commercial production and serves as an exceptional germplasm for soybean breeding.

Identification of early maturing and leaf determinate growth habit type accessions of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.)

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.), commonly known as guar, is a member of the family Papilionaceae, cultivated in the Indian Sub-continent since time immemorial. It is a drought-hardy leguminous annual crop used variously for vegetables, forage and green manure. There is tremendous variability available in Indian cluster bean germplasm. Genetic resources with their enormous variability for different characters provide the base for the improvement of crop plants. Within genetic resources, genetic stocks are expected to play a major role in future crop improvement programmes. One promising unbranched, single-stemmed and flower determinate growth habit bearing accession IC-140784P1, developed through single plant selection at ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Jodhpur starts flowering at 23 days after sowing and flowers 50% at 32 days after sowing. This accession does mature only 82 days after sowing. These accessions mature about 10-15 days early compared to normal existing improved cultivars, which take 90-95 days for maturity. Another accession IC 569315 has been characterized as leaf determinate (in which the stem terminates into the leaf) with alternate cluster-bearing habit. The majority of the cluster bean crop is grown under rainfed conditions in the drier parts of the country. Therefore, maturity is an important trait, especially for cluster bean.

Effect of the depth and rate of sowing on the yield and yield components of determinate and indeterminate faba beans (Vicia faba var. minor L.) cultivars under conditions of Southwestern Poland

Sowing depth and sowing density are considered important factors that affect the yield and profitability of crop cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of differentiated sowing depths and rates on the yield components and seed yield of two faba bean morphotypes: Bobas – indeterminate growth habit and Granit – determinate growth habit, grown in Southwestern Poland in the years 2011–2013. The course of weather in the years of research had the strongest impact on the studied yield components and yield. The indeterminate Bobas cultivar was characterized by the most beneficial morphological traits, compared to the determinate Granit cultivar. Among the tested sowing rates, 60 and 75 seeds per 1 m2 caused the highest yield. The depth of sowing had only a significant effect on seed yield; the highest yield was found at 5 cm compared to deeper sowing.