Growth regulators, dates of treatments, yield and quality of broad bean (Vicia faba L. ) and Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. azoricum Thell. ) "seed"

On Florence fennel chlorocoline chloride (CCC), ethephon, (ET) pachlobutrazol (PCB) GA3, GA4/7 and benomyl were sprayed for two years when the first formed 'seeds' were starting to ripen. In both years the 1000 'seeds' weight was higher for 'seeds' coming from the untreated plants. In the first year, 'seeds' from plants treated with ET showed a lower germination percentage, speed of germination and germination value. In the second year the speed of germination and germination percentage were lower for 'seeds' treated with PCB. It can be concluded that treatments had no beneficial effects on 'seed' germination of fennel. Faba bean plants, at 6-leaf stage, at flowering of the first node and 11 days later were treated 1,2 or 3 time with PCB, CCC, GA3 and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) at 2 rate of application. GA3 treatments increased the number of aborted seed; the yield per plant decrease by increasing the rate and the number of treatments. Double and triple CCC treatments lowered 1000 seed weight but they improved germination value 6 months after harvest. Later treatments with PCB increased the germination value; 2,4-D elevated seed size and 1000 seed weight. In general, growth regulators had a little influence on germination percentage.