Ram Lal Shrestha and Renato C. Mabesa PhD

DOI

ABSTRACT

The experiment were conducted to determine the critical stage of boron(B) application on the seed development and quality of bush snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) grown in the nutrient solution (hydroponic). Boron was applied @ 0.05g/l (50ppm) of water at weekly intervals according to treatments up to the seed physiological maturity stage. The number of flowers and pod set were increased at 0 days and 21 days after sowing (DAS) treatment and decreased continuously as time of B application was delayed. Boron was effective to increase the seed weight 18.8% greater at full B treatment as compared to 0-boron (-B). The quality of seed was greatly reduced in –B solution due to lack of B. Seed germination was 1.24 times greater in laboratory condition and 1.47 times greater under field condition at 0 day treatment than –B treatment. The normal seedling percent was 8.1 times greater in 0 day (8 time applied) treatment than –B under field condition. The seedling dry weight was higher (3.70g) at 21 DAS B applied seed as compared to control (1.73g). Seeds harvested from earlier B applied treatments were higher in quality and produced strong seedlings as compared to -B. The critical stage of B requirements to the Contender bean for reproductive growth and seed quality improvement was identified at 28 DAS. The quality of seed was decreased if B is applied later from 28 DAS. It can be concluded that earlier stage (Vegetative growth) of B application give better yield and quality of seed.