INNOVATIVE BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS IN ORGANIC BEAN GROWING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The application of microbiological products in agriculture is becoming more and more relevant nowadays in order to reduce the use of chemical products. These products have the potential to protect plants from diseases, pests, increase yields and improve quality and are friendly to the environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the innovative biological product Sporeplus on bean growth and productivity, to evaluate the impact of the product on the prevalence of diseases. The study was carried out at Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden. Beans of 'Tiffany' and 'Bobas' varieties were studied by applying the microbiological product as a seed treatment and spraying the plants during vegetation with a product suspension. The highest average bean height was defined in both 'Bobas' (significantly) and 'Tiffany' (insignificantly) varieties sites, where bioproduct Sporeplus was applied for both seed treatment and for later plant spraying during vegetation. Significantly the highest average seed weight per plant was determined in beans of the 'Tiffany' variety, where the seed was treated by bioproduct and also the plants were sprayed with the microbiological product Sporeplus during the vegetation period as well. The average seed weight per plant of the 'Bobas' variety was also the highest (insignificantly) where both the seed and later the plants were treated with the microbiological product Sporeplus. The prevalence of bean rust (Uromyces fabae) was not significantly affected by the application of the microbiological product Sporeplus.