Male sterility in field beans (Vicia faba L.). II. Yield trials of F1 hybrid winter beans produced with the aid of male sterility

Abstract

1. F1 hybrids between inbred lines of winter beans were obtained by roguing male-fertile plants from segregating progenies of a genetic male-sterile line which had been interplanted with a pollinator.2. In a series of trials the mean yields of many hybrids were significantly higher than those of open-pollinated varieties. Over the 4 years, 1959–62, with trials at three centres in each year, the mean advantages of all hybrids over the two control varieties was 6·4 cwt./acre over Gartons S.Q., 4·7 cwt./acre over Throws M.S.