Soybean, azuki-bean and mungbean were cultivated at different growing conditions, May 10, June 9, July 9 seeding, and May 10 seeding-short day treatment, to investigate the distribution of flowering date and the variation of pod/flower ratio.
The growth habit type of the soybean variety used was determinate, but the azuki-bean and mungbean varieties used showed indeterminate growth habit. The pod/flower ratio ranged 38 to 48% for soybean, 23 to 34% for azuki-bean and 46 to 60% for mungbean along with growing conditions. Flower abscission for soybean and munnbean, and pod abscission for azuki-bean affected more on the number of matured pods. Soybean showed once full blooming period, but azuki-bean and mungbean showed two or three times till blooming period except July 9 seeding plot through the whole growing period. Flowers bloomed just after every full blooming period showed lower value of pod/flower ratio and higher pod/flower ratio was obtained from flowers bloomed before or far after full blooming at plots seeded May 10 and June 9 in three pulse crops. Most full blooming period of soybean coincided within 5 days near the terminal leaf appearance date, and number of flowers bloomed before terminal leaf expansion and matured pods from these flowers were major in every soybean plant at all growing condition plots. No relations were found between terminal leaf appearance and flowering, or pod seating patterns of azuki-bean and mungbean.