Kade Research Ltd.

Flower number

Decreased flower number allows for greater seed filling and retention.

In common buckwheat approximately 11-12% of the flowers, in present buckwheat varieties, develop into seeds, with the remaining flowers aborting after fertilization. This has been considered as a survival technique for the species, but can be viewed as a waste of valuable nutrients which should be diverted into seed production. A reduction in flower numbers in self-pollinating buckwheat, to approximately 25% of their present number, would allow for the nutrients now being expended in their production being utilized in filling seeds in self-pollinating buckwheat. This would result in much higher yields. Low flower number lines have been developed that have much higher seed filling and retention.