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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Fertilization of four field bean cultivars was examined in irrigated and non-irrigated plots. The overall fertilization of the ovules examined was 33%; in irrigated plots it was 25% and in non-irrigated plots, 41%. Only 48% of fully formed flowers had at least one fertilized ovule. Fertilized ovules occurred most frequently at the first ovule position in the ovary (nearest the stigma), and this frequency declined at successive ovule positions. There was in general a higher fertilization percentage at the upper flowering nodes while fertilization percentage dropped from the first flower position in a raceme to the last. At all the flowering nodes and raceme-flower positions, the cultivars Erfordia and Outlook generally had a higher fertilization frequency than Maris Bead or TI. The significance of these results is discussed.