Breaking Strength of Pedicel and Grain Shattering Habit in Two Species of Buckwheat(Fagopyrum spp.)

Abstract

The grain shattering habit was examined in nine common buckwheat cultivars/strains (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) and four tartary buckwheat strains (F. tataricum Gaertner). As indices of grain shattering habit, the breaking bending strength and breaking tensile strength of the pedicel and the pedicel diameter were measured. Thin longitudinal pedicel sections were also observed. The breaking strength showed significant differences among cultivars, but the stage of seed maturity influenced the grain shattering habit. The two breaking strengths were larger in common buckwheat than in tartary buckwheat, and these differences may be explained by the pedicel diameter. The abscission layer was not observed in the pedicel tissue of the buckwheat cultivars.