Seed development and seed physiological quality of field grown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

In this paper, we tested how sequential anthesis and pod location in the ca nopy could be sources of heterogeneity of seed development and seed physiol ogical quality for a determinate bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In order to achieve various micro-climatic conditions during seed development different treatments were performed during two years under field conditions near Ang ers (France). Pods were chosen to differ either by anthesis date or by loca tion in the canopy and were hand harvested at regular intervals. After mois ture measurement on a sub-sample and slow drying, seed quality was assessed by standard germination, conductivity and controlled deterioration tests. During seed filling and desiccation, seed moisture was found to be a good i ndicator of seed development. During the end of seed filling and the beginn ing of seed desiccation, seed quality increased as seed moisture decreased and levelled off at about 0.4 g.g(-1) with no differences between years and treatments or between anthesis date and location of pods. Thus, it was con cluded that during this phase, seed quality depended only on seed developme ntal stage. After the end of desiccation, seed Vigour decreased linearly wi th increasing time from the end of desiccation; rate of deterioration diffe red between years and treatments but not between anthesis date or location of pods.