Growth and quality of cucumber, tomato, and green bean under foliar and soil applications of an aminochelate fertilizer

Abstract

Aminochelates are relatively new fertilizer formulations with improved efficiency for agricultural applications. Many plant responses to these amino acid-based fertilizers have not yet been well studied. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of soil (six split applications at a final volume of 5 mL) and foliar application (six applications at 0.2% concentration) of a commercial aminochelate (liquid fertilizer consisting of 2.0% N-amino acid, 2.5% Zn, 2.0% Fe, 1.5% Mn and 0.4% Cu) on growth, yield, and quality traits in three vegetable crops including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under field conditions in lime soil. Plant growth, yield, and quality parameters significantly increased in response to foliar application, and to lesser extent soil application of aminochelate fertilizer. Plants treated with foliar application of aminochelate had a significantly higher chlorophyll index, number of lateral shoots, shoot dry weight, number of fruits, plant yield, and leaf N concentration in all three vegetable crops compared to the control. Soil application of aminochelate resulted in significantly higher fruit or pod vitamin C content and total soluble solids content versus the control. However, for most traits, there was no significant difference between soil application of aminochelate versus chemical fertilizer a (N, P, K mixture). Nevertheless, the results indicate that the application of aminochelate especially foliar application, is a preferred method for fertilization under lime soil conditions to improve plant growth, productivity, and quality.