Biostimulants on yield and its components in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Resumen

Objective: To study the effect of biostimulants on yield and its components in Azufrado Higuera beans in northern Sinaloa.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Randomized complete block design with three repetitions, a common bean variety, and five treatments (four biostimulants and one control). Assessed variables: plant height, yield, and its components.

Results: The seaweed-based (Ascophyllum nodosum and Macrocystis pyrifera) Fia Kelp® biostimulant caused a remarkable increase in plant height, seed yield, number of seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight.

Study Limitations/Implications: The study was carried out during a single crop cycle. Therefore, an ongoing assessment of the biostimulants used must be carried out during more consecutive cycles to prove their effect on the aerial biomass characteristics, harvest index, and number of pods per m².

Findings/Conclusions: Foliar application of biostimulants had a positive effect on seed yield and some of its components with respect to the control. The number of normal pods per m² was the variable with the highest correlation percentage regarding seed yield.