Developing reproductive plant part influence on nutrient uptake by Bush Bean

Abstract

The influence of reproductive plant parts at four physiological stages (early R1, R1, R3, and late R5) on nitrogen (N) uptake, dry matter production and partitioning, and plant composition was determined using hydroponically grown bush beans. Treatments consisted of continuous removal of flower buds, flowers, initiated pods, or half‐developed pods. Removal of the reproductive plant parts significantly increased nitrate and ammonium uptake during reproductive stages, and reduced nutrient loss from leaves, suggesting that the developing pods may inhibit nutrient uptake. Reductions in nutrient uptake, which resulted in nutrient depletion of the leaves and limited chlorophyll loss, can be viewed as a consequence of pod development, and not solely one of senescence.