Fertility studies in the field bean (Vicia faba L.)

Evolution in closely adjacent plant populations V. Evolution of self-fertility

“…Such inbreeding should lead to a readjustment of the gene complexes to adapt them to tolerate the depressive effects of inbreeding. Such readjustment has been shown to be possible in other species (Wexelsen, 1952;Rowlands, 1961;Breese, 1964). The inbreeding depression in Anthoxanthum may argue against this, but it must be remembered that, in tolerant populations at least, this depression only manifests itself under competitive conditions.…”

“…Beddows (1931) and Jenkin (1931) working on grasses, Julen (1948) and Davies and Young (1966) on legumes, and Thompson and Taylor (1966) on brassicas have shown that there is considerable variability in selfcompatibility of natural and semi-natural populations. In some instances, highly self-fertile plants also have highly self-fertile progenies (Jenkin, 1931; Thomas, 1955;Thompson and Taylor, 1966) while Rowlands (1960) showed in Vicia that self-fertility was clearly inherited. Breese (1959) changed the self-fertility of Xicotiana by selection for different floral morphology.…”

“…Breese (1959) changed the self-fertility of Xicotiana by selection for different floral morphology. Selection for self-fertility in natural populations should therefore be possible (see also Rowlands, 1961).…”

Fertility studies in the broad bean (Vicia faba L.)

“…PREvIous work on the breeding system and fertility studies in Vicia faba have concentrated on the agricultural types, in particular the medium to small seeded types commonly grown in Europe (Rowlands, 1958(Rowlands, , 1960(Rowlands, , 1961Holden and Bond, 1960;Drayner, 1959). Darlington (1956) has argued that the large flat-seeded horticultural types diverged from the main evolutionary line at least 1500 years ago, and continuous selection for seed size has kept the two main types separate ever since.…”

“…Pod and seed setting were examined in the horticultural types of bean and were compared with previously published work on agricultural types. In addition, embryological studies were made in an attempt to determine the exact time of zygote abortion following self-pollination (Rowlands, 1960).…”