The Role of Mycorrhiza and Sulfur Application on Growth Parameters and Yield of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Plant

Abstract

Beans are a widely consumed crop due to high nutritional value and plant protein content.

Konya accounts for approximately 19.9% ​​of Türkiye's dry bean production, making it the leading producer in the country. In Konya's calcareous soils, due to the high soil pH, the uptake of some nutrient elements by the bean plant is partially inhibited. Especially elements such as phosphorus, zinc, and iron may need to be applied as fertilizers. Mycorrhizae that infect plant roots take up nutrients such as P, Ca, K, Fe, and Zn from the soil and transfer them to the plant, while also promoting water uptake and plant growth. They increase plant resistance to stress conditions that negatively affect the plant and also reduce the demand for chemical fertilizers. In this study, bean plants were inoculated mycorrhizal spores isolated from nature and than were applied with different doses of sulfur fertilizer. The combined effect of mycorrhiza and sulfur on plant growth and development parameters in bean plants grown under field conditions was investigated. In the study, elemental powdered sulfur (100% S) was applied to the prepared plots at a control and 80 kg S/da dose before the experiment was established. Natural mycorrhizal spores were also applied to the seedbed at a rate of 1000 mycorrhizal spores/plant during seed sowing. The experiment was completed by harvesting when capsule formation. At the end of the experiment, yield per plant, total yield, and sulfur and phosphorus concentarations in the bean leaf and bean crop were measured. According to the results, the application of natural mycorrhiza increased the amount of sulfur (kg/da) taken up from the soil by the beans compared to the control. Bean sulfur uptake was higher in the case without sulfur application compared to the sulfur application. Sulfur uptake efficiency was also positively affected by mycorrhiza application.