Yield and yield components of white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars affected by boric acid rates and methods of application

Abstract

To investigate the effect of boric acid on yield and yield components of three white bean cultivars consisted of Jules, G11867, and Shekoofa, a 2-year field split-plot experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2013 and 2014. Boron treatments consisted of 1 – control (no boric acid), 2 and 3 – application of 2 and 4 kg ha⁻¹ of boric acid by irrigation water, respectively, 4 and 5 – foliar spray of 0.025% and 0.05% of boric acid solutions, respectively, and 6 – combination of 2 kg ha⁻¹ of boric acid in irrigation water + foliar spray by 0.025% boric acid solution. Boron application significantly increased yield and its components in respect to control. The highest grain yields of all cultivars were obtained from application of 2 kg ha⁻¹ boric acid mixed in irrigation water + foliar spray by 0.025% of boric acid solution.

Keywords:

• bean yield
• boron
• foliar spray
• micro-nutrients

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.