Improving seed production of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants as a response for Calcium and Boron

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out in summer successive seasons of 20115 and 2016 at the Vegetables Research Farm at Kaha, Qalubia Governorate Egypt. Experiment aimed to study the foliar application with calcium (Ca) and boron (B) on growth, nutrient content and yield quantity and quality of dry beans plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).The experiments were arranged in randomized complete block design. The obtained results showed that vegetative growth and seed yield and its components of dry bean plants were significantly increased by the foliar application with calcium or/and boron before and/or before and after flowering when compared with control treatment during the two seasons. The highest vegetative growth values were recorded by Ca at 2500 ppm or Ca and B foliar spraying ppm before & after flowering, whereas, the seed yield were increase by using 2500 ppm Ca plus 250 ppm B when compared with the other treatments or control plants in both growing seasons. Seed germination and seedling growth of the seeds produced from plants that have been sprayed with Ca and B were better than the control seeds. The results also, showed that foliar application of Ca or/and B led to positive increases of macro (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) concentration in dry bean leaves and seeds. The distribution of nutrients in leaves and seed was differed according to the treatment and the kind of mineral nutrient.