Yield and seed quality of two N2-fixing common bean cultivars grown on calcareous soil

Abstract

Legume seeds such as common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are of major importance for human nutrition in the Mediterranean region, owing to their high protein and iron contents. Iron deficiency is a major agricultural issue limiting crop yields, especially on calcareous soils which represent more than 30% of the world’s land surface. In the present study, we compared the effect of iron deficiency on the yield and the seed quality of two common bean cultivars, contrasting in their tolerance ability to iron deficiency. Seedlings were inoculated with an efficient strain of Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 and were grown on either non-calcareous or calcareous soil. Seed and pod numbers, seed weight and quality were evaluated. On the calcareous soil, iron deficiency decreased the plant yield, reduced the weight and the number of seeds and impaired the seed quality as expressed by seed mineral composition, protein and soluble sugar contents. The tolerant cultivar, Flamingo, grew better and produced seeds with higher protein and mineral contents than the sensitive cultivar, Coco blanc.