Abstract

The relationship between the length of lateral branches and their position on the stem, as described by regression analysis, varied among twelve cultivars. Generally, the length and number of nodes per lateral branch increased, according to a linear model, towards the base of the plants. In some cultivars, however, the longest laterals with the most nodes were found in the lower half of the plant but not at the base. In most cultivars, neither number of flower buds per lateral nor number of fruits per lateral was influenced by the position of the lateral. However, varietal differences in the relative importance of different yield components were apparent. It is recommended that yield components should be measured by sampling from several lateral positions.