Modification of Plant Architecture and Crop Yield by Breeding1

Abstract

Plant breeders have modified plant architecture to fit crop production systems, particularly for mechanical harvesting, but have given inadequate attention to the effects of architecture on yield. The development of high yielding dwarf wheat, rice and determinate tomato cultivars have emphasized the relation of plant architecture to crop yield. Delayed flowering of photoperiod sensitive dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under long days produced more fruiting nodes per plant and increased yield 50 to 70%. The contributions of plant architecture components to yield and quality have been investigated with near-isogenic lines of various crops. Modifications of plant architecture have been adopted to alleviate heat and moisture stress, to confer insect resistance, and to avoid disease.