Response of common bean varieties to the magnesium application in the tropical soil

ABSTRACT

The appropriate supply of magnesium (Mg) to the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) according to the requirements of each variety increases the productivity and nutritional value of grains. However, there are few studies on soil's ability to provide the adequate amount of the nutrient and on the reaction of plants with different Mg concentrations. The present study analyzed the response of the common bean plant to soil fertility, grain yield (GY), shoot dry weight (SDW) yield, nutritional status and the response of physiological components of the plant to the concentrations of Mg applied to the tropical soil. Thus, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in 5 × 4 factorial arrangement, with three replicates. The varieties BRS Estilo, IAPAR 81, BRS Ametista, IPR Campos Gerais (CG) and IPR Tangará were cultivated in an Ustoxix Quatzipsamment with five rates of Mg [0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹, source magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)]. The common bean varieties and the Mg rates significantly affected the soil chemical properties. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and total soluble sugars significantly correlated with common bean GY and SDW yield. The nutrient content in leaves and grains showed difference responses among the varieties. IAPAR 81 showed the highest rate of mobilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper and zinc (N, P, Mg, S, B, Cu, and Zn) for grains, being an important factor in studies of crop biofortification.

KEYWORDS:

• Phaseolus vulgaris
• yield
• nutritional status
• production components
• soil fertility
• biofortification
• physiological components

Acknowledgments

Our thanks go to CAPES, for the Masters scholarship, to State University of Londrina (UEL), for the opportunity offered, and to Embrapa Soja (CNPSO), for the logistical support to carry out the experiments and laboratory analysis.