Growth, yield and yield components of dry bean as influenced by phosphorus in a tropical acid soil

Authors: FAGERIA, N - Embrapa; Baligar, Virupax

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2012
Publication Date: 2/2/2016
Citation: Fageria, N.K., Baligar, V.C. 2016. Growth, yield and yield components of dry bean as influenced by phosphorus in a tropical acid soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition. doi: 10.1080/01904167.2016.1143489.

Interpretive Summary: Dry beans are grown as an inter crop to improve soil fertility and enhance yield potentials of companion fruit tree crops. However, growth and yield of dry beans are affected by the level of phosphorous in the soil. In low fertility tropical soils information is unavailable on the levels of soil phosphorous needed to enhance the yields of dry beans. In this paper we have shown that dry bean yields significantly increased with the use of adequate rates of phosphorous. This information will be useful in the maintenance of adequate levels of soil phosphorous to improve growth and yields of dry bean. Such information will also help tropical farmers improve yield potentials of crops such as cacao.

Technical Abstract: Phosphorus deficiency is one of the most yield limiting factors for dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in tropical acid soils. Dry beans are invariably grown as mono crops or as inter crops under the perennial tropical crops. Information is limited regarding the influence of phosphorus fertilization on dry bean yield and yield components and P use efficiency in tropical acid soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phosphorus fertilization on dry bean growth, yield and yield components and P uptake parameters. Phosphorus rates used were 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg P kg-1 of soil. Soil used in the experiment was an acidic Inceptisol. Grain yield, shoot dry weight, number of pods, and 100 grain weight were significantly (P < 0.01) increased with phosphorus fertilization. Maximum grain yield, shoot dry matter, number of pods, and 100 grain weight were obtained with the application of 165, 216, 162, and 160 mg P kg-1 of soil, respectively, as calculated by regression equations. Grain yield was significantly and positively associated with shoot dry weight, number of pods, P concentration in grain and total uptake of P in shoot and grain. Phosphorus use efficiency defined in several ways, decreased with increasing P rates from 50 to 250 mg P kg-1 of soil. Maximum grain yield was obtained at 82 mg kg-1 of Mehlich 1 extractable soil P. Results suggest that dry bean yield in Brazilian Inceptisols could be significantly increased with the use of adequate rates of phosphorus fertilization.