Phosphorus and Boron Application Optimizing Biofortification of P and Productivity of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Deficiency of macro and micro nutrients, especially phosphorus (P) and boron (B), reduce french bean growth, productivity, and ultimately nutrient bio-fortification, and ultimately effects human and livestock health. Limited supplies of P reduces roots growth, development, elongation and ultimately nutrients uptake while B deficiency cause faintness in plant defensive mechanism and grain development in cereal and legumes. Application of B in combination with P act as a bio-stimulant which improves biological and chemo-physical properties of the soil. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of P and B application on the yield and yield component of french bean in the far-flung hilly area of different elevation (Madyan and Behrain) during summer 2012 to 2014. French bean variety “Paulista” was sown on a well-prepared clay loam soil. The effect of phosphorus was significantly (P < .05) increased bean yield and growth parameters such as phosphorus concentration in french bean, number of plants m−2, plant height (cm), number of leaves plant−1, number of pods plant−1, number of seeds plant−1, pods length (cm), thousand seeds weight (g), seed yield (kg ha−1) bean yield and harvest index (%). Combine effect of P and B was found significant for number of plants m−2, plant height (cm), number of leaves plant−1, pods length (cm), numbers of seeds pod−1, number of pods plants−1, thousand seed weight, seed yield and harvest index. Based on results obtained from this experiment, application of 80 kg P ha−1 and 12 kg boron ha−1 application is recommended for better production of haricot bean.