The response of small white bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) to different nitrogen and molybdenum fertilizer applications

[摘要] English: Dry bean production is normally associated with high soil fertility rich in organic mattercontent. However, dry beans are not exhibited dramatic improvements of seed yieldthrough the development of high yielding cultivars, improved cultural practices and theuse of external inputs, especially fertilizers when compared to other crops. The currentacute bean shortage resulted in the need for better production systems to increase yieldthrough fertilization. This study was therefore conducted with the objectives ofinvestigating the role of N and Mo fertilizers in determining the growth and yield ofbeans, the different rates of N in band and broadcast placement methods that can giveoptimum yield, and the amount of total protein and total Mo found in the dry seeds as aresult of the applied fertilizers.Two separate pot experiments of band and broadcast placement of N in different rateswith and without Mo were executed during 2000/2001 growing season in the glasshouseat the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Each pot was filled withred brown soil and planted to a dry bean cultivar, PAN 181. The plant density wasmaintained at three plants per pot. A completely randomized design with factorialcombination consisting of four N levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N ha) and three Motreatments (0, 100 g Mo ha leaf spray and 100 g Mo ha seed treatment) replicated fourtimes was used in the experiment.The results obtained indicated that the application of N and Mo fertilizers did notsignificantly affect the vegetative growth as well as the reproductive development of thetested dry bean cultivar. However, the application of N in band placement with Motreatments affected seed yield more than the broadcast placement. With the band Nplacement method, higher seed yield was achieved at 60 kg N ha with seed treated Mowhile that of broadcast N placement was at zero N with seed treated Mo.With regard to the nutrient content of the dry seeds, higher seed total protein wasobtained at 60 kg N ha with zero Mo in banded N and at zero N with seed treated Mo inbroadcasted N. Higher seed Mo content was achieved at 60 kg N ha with seed treatedMo in band N placement whereas in broadcast N placement it was at zero N with seedtreated Mo.Finally, further field trials are recommended in order to verify the glasshouse resultsunder field conditions.

[发布机构] University of the Free State