Effect of Sowing Date, Planting Pattern and Foliar Application of Boron on Seed Yield of Local Beans (Pachbaghela) (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Guilan Province, Iran

Hassanzadeh, Saleh; Esfahani, Masoud; Aalami, Ali

doi:10.22067/ijpr.2025.92223.1107

Effect of Sowing Date, Planting Pattern and Foliar Application of Boron on Seed Yield of Local Beans (Pachbaghela) (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Guilan Province, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Saleh Hassanzadeh ¹

Masoud Esfahani ¹

Ali Aalami ²

¹ Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

² Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

10.22067/ijpr.2025.92223.1107

Abstract

Introduction
Legumes are the second most important source of human food after cereals and are considered the primary source of plant protein due to their high protein content. In addition to providing food for humans and livestock, legumes enhance the fertility of agricultural soils when grown in rotation with other crops, owing to their symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume used for direct human consumption. Achieving high seed yield is one of the main goals of cultivating this plant, and appropriate agronomic management practices-such as determining the sowing date, row spacing, plant spacing, and providing essential nutrients-result in high biological and economic performance. Therefore, in this experiment, to find solutions to increase the yield of local beans in Guilan province, the appropriate sowing date, sowing pattern, and the effect of boron foliar application on bean growth and yield were investigated.

Materials and Methods
This research was conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications during the spring and summer of 2023 in the Rudbaneh section of Lahijan, Iran. The factors examined in this experiment included sowing patterns at three levels: rectangle pattern (20×31 cm), rhombus pattern (23×27 cm), and square pattern (25×25 cm), with a constant density of approximately 16 plants per square meter. Additionally, foliar application of boron at a concentration of 0.1% was compared to no boron application. These factors were evaluated in two experiments conducted on April 25^th (spring) and August 29^th (summer).

Results and Discussion
The results of the combined variance analysis showed that the effect of the sowing date was significant on all tested traits except for seed protein content. These traits included plant height, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, percentage of fertile pods, 100-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, seed formation rate, seed filling rate, yield formation rate, and vegetative growth rate. In contrast, sowing pattern treatments significantly affected only plant height, the number of secondary branches, and 100-seed weight, with no significant impact on the other measured traits. In comparison, boron foliar application had a significant effect on a wide range of traits, including plant height, number of pods per plant, percentage of fertile pods, 100-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, seed formation rate, seed filling rate, yield formation rate, vegetative growth rate, and seed protein content. The results showed that seed yield at the spring sowing date averaged 348.3 g.m^-2, which was significantly higher than the summer sowing date average of 204.0 g.m^-2 (a 41% increase). Boron foliar application also significantly increased seed yield, with an average of 307.9 g.m^-2 compared to 244.5 g.m^-2 without boron (a 20% increase). However, sowing patterns had no significant effect on seed yield. The components of seed yield, including the number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight, were higher at the spring sowing date, with averages of 15.6 pods and 42.8 g, respectively. These values represented increases of 37% and 6%, respectively, compared to the summer sowing date. Boron foliar application also resulted in a 16% increase in the number of pods per plant and a 5% increase in 100-seed weight, with averages of 13.8 pods and 42.6 g, respectively, compared to no boron application. Additionally, the square sowing pattern achieved a higher 100-seed weight, averaging 41.8 g, compared to the rhombus and rectangle sowing patterns.

Conclusions
Based on the results of this experiment, sowing local beans of Guilan in the spring season, using the square sowing pattern, and applying boron foliar application were superior in terms of seed yield and growth indices compared to the summer sowing date, rectangle, and rhombus planting patterns, and no boron application.

Keywords

100-seed weight

Common bean

Nutrients

Protein content of seed

Sowing date

Subjects

Agronomy

Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

Abou Seeda, M. A., Abou El-Nour, E. A. A., Yassen, A. A., & Hammad, S. A. (2021). Boron, structure, functions and its interaction with nutrients in plant physiology. A review. Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research, 10(1), 117-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.36632/mejar/2021.10.1.9

Ali Hosseinpour, F., Rafiei, M., & Farnia, A. (2011). Studying the effect of foliar application of boron on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of soybean genotypes. Scientific Research Journal of Crop Physiology, 3(11), 33-46. (In Persian)

Alipour Ghasem Abad Sofla, A., Rahemi-Karizaki, A., Nakhzari-Moghaddam, A., Biabani, A., & Tarashy, M. (2018). Top removal effect on yield, yield components and the dry matter production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Iranian Journal Pulses Research, 9(1), 129-141. (In Persian with English Abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/ijpr.v9i1.57934

Brdar-Jokanović, M. (2020). Boron toxicity and deficiency in agricultural plants. International Journal of Molecular Science, 21, 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041424

Broughton, W. J., Blair, M., Beebe, S., & Vander Leyden, J. (2003). Beans (Phaseolus spp.), model food legumes. Plant and Soil, 252(74), 55–128. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024146710611

Dameto, L., Cardoso, M., Krzyzanowski, F., & Moreira, A. (2023). Boron sources and rates on soybean seed physiological quality and root system volume. Journal of Seed Science, 45, e202345019, 2023.

Dapaah, H. K., McKenzie, B. A., & Hill, G. D. (2000). Influence of sowing date and irrigation on the growth yield of pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a sub-humid temperate environment. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge, 134, 33-43.

Didinger, C., Foster, M. T., Bunning, M., & Thompson, H. J. (2022). Nutrition and human health benefits of dry beans and other pulses. In: M. Siddiq, M. A. Uebersax (Eds.) Dry Beans and Pulses, Production, Processing, and Nutrition, Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. New York, United States. p. 481–504. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781119776802.ch19

Esmaeilzadeh, S., & Aminpanah, H. (2015). Effects of planting date and spatial arrangement on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) yield under weed-free and weedy conditions. Planta Daninha, 33(3), 425-432.

Fageria, N. K., & Santos, A. B. (2008). Yield physiology of dry bean. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 31, 983–1004. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160802096815

Getachew, E., Tesfaye, A., & Mulualem, T. (2014). The effects of sowing date and spacing for yield of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties at Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia. Sky Journal of Agricultural Research, 3(9), 174-180.

Ghanbari, A. A. (2015). Developmental stages and phenology of common bean genotypes under normal irrigation and water deficit conditions. Applied Field Crops Research, 28(107), 190-199. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Ghanbari, A. A., Gholami, M., & Ahmadi, M. (2023). Evaluation of adaptability and stability of yield of selected PachBaghela lines in spring cultivation (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Guilan province. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 54(3), 27-40. (In Persian with English Abstract) https://doi.org/10.22059/ijfcs.2023.348968.654943

Ghanbari, A., Mostafavi Rad, M., & Sekhavat, R. (2021). Determination of plant density and appropriate planting time of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) in Guilan province. Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 31(1), 209-219. (In Persian with English Abstract). https://doi.org/10.22034/saps.2021.12808

Ghorbani, R., & Safarzadeh Vishkaei, M. N. (2019). The effect of planting dates and rice residue application (Mulch) on growth and yield of Cranberry bean. Plant Ecophysiology, 10(35), 267-279. (In Persian with English Abstract)

Hamouda, H. A., Anany, T. G., & El-Bassyouni, M. S. S. (2018). Growth and yield of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by ZN and B foliar application. Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research, 7(2), 639-649.

Hosseini, S. M. (2016). Effect of different levels and application methods of boric acid on yield and protein content of common bean. Iranian Journal of Soil Research, 29(4), 383-394. (In Persian).

İpekeşen, S., Biçer, B. T., & Bayrak, İ. H. (2022). Determination of the effect of different sowing dates on growth and yield parameters of some dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(3), 482–491. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6979678

Jamalzehi, B., Mostafavi-Rad, M., & Ansary, M. H. (2017). Evaluation of seed protein content, yield and important agronomic traits of some determinate and indeterminate bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars as affected by different sowing dates in Talesh (Guilan). Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 48(1), 221-231. (In Persian with English Abstract). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijfcs.2017.136778.653982

Kakon, S. S., Shawquat, M. D., Choudhury, J. A., Ali, M. Z., & Aziz, M. (2017). Influence of sowing time-based temperature on flowering and seed yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). SAARC Journal of Agriculture, 15(1), 77-80.

Kazemi Taskooh, N., Mostafavi Rad, M., & Ansari, M. H. (2017). Effect of row spacing on yield quantity and quality of some determinate and indeterminate growth bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties in Guilan climatic condition. Journal of Plant Ecophysiology, 29(9), 136-145. (In Persian with English Abstract)

Khajehpour, M. R. (2022). Principles and Fundamentals of Agriculture. Jahad Daneshgahi Publications, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. 622 p

Mahadule, P. A., Jagdhani, A. D., Sawale, D. D., Jagtap, P. B., & Tamboli, B. D. (2020). Effect of foliar sprays of boron on quality and nutrient uptake of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Entisol. South Asian Research Journal of Natural Products, 3(3), 131-135.

Makhlouf, S., & Aws, M. (2022). Response of faba bean to planting distance between plants and spraying with nano and traditional boron. Iraqi Journal of Market Research and Consumer Protection, 14((1), 84-93. http://dx.doi.org/10.28936/jmracpc14.1.2022.(9)

‎Malakooti, M. J., & Tehrani, M. (2023). Effects of Micronutrients on the Yield and Quality of Agricultural Products and Promoting the Health of Society "Micronutrients with a Macro effect". Tarbiat Modares University Publications, Tehran, Iran. 398 p.

Meier, U. (2001). Growth Stages of Mono-and Dicotyledonous Plants, BBCH. Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Bonn, Germany. 158 p.

Misagh, M., Movahhedi Dehnavi, M., Yadavi, A., & Khadem Hamzeh, H. (2016). Improvement of yield, oil and protein percentage of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under drought stress by foliar application of zinc and boron. Journal of Crop Production, 9(1), 163-180. (In Persian with English Abstract) https://doi.org/10.22069/ejcp.2016.2962

Moshatati, A., Siadat, S. A., Bakhshandeh, A., & Jalal-Kamali, M. R. (2018). The effect of growth and development periods on grain yield of spring bread wheat under terminal heat stress in Ahwaz. Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences, 11(1), 197-209. (In Persian) https://doi.org/10.22077/escs.2017.355.1067

Mozumber, S. N., Moniruzzaman, M., Islam, M. R., & Alam, S, N. (2003). Effect of planting time and spacing on the yield performance of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the eastern hilly area of Bangladesh. Legume Research, 26(4), 242-247.

Nasef, M. A., Badran, N. M., & Abd El-Hamide, A. F. (2006). Response of peanut to foliar spray with boron and/or rhizobium inoculation. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 2(12), 1330-1337.

Rabiee, M., & Ibrahimi, M. (2023). Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Production as Second Crop in Paddy Field. Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, Iran. 116 p.

Robertson, M. J., Silim, S., Chauhan, Y. S., & Ranganathan, R. (2001). Predicting of growth and development of pigeon pea: Biomass accumulation and partitioning. Field Crops Research, 70, 89-100.

Robinson, S. L., & Wilcox, J. R. (1998). Comparison of determinate and indeterminate soybean near isolines and their response to row spacing and planting date. Crop Science, 38, 1554-1557. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1998.0011183X003800060024x

Saini, L., Kumar, P., & Upadhyay, H. (2024). Zinc and boron foliar application effects on primed mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) growth and productivity. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 23, 1407-1418. http://dx.doi.org/10.46488/NEPT.2024.v23i03.012

Shafaroodi, A., Zavareh, M., Peyvast, G. A., & Dorri, H. R. (2012). Effect of sowing date and plant density on grain yield and yield components in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces. Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 22(3), 47-61. (In Persian)

Shireen, F., Nawaz, M. A., Chen, C., Zhang, Q., Zheng, Z., Sohail, H., Sun, J., Cao, H., Huang, Y., & Bie, Z. (2018). Boron: Functions and approaches to enhance its availability in plants for sustainable agriculture. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071856

Sirait, Y., PilL. W. G., & Kee, W. E. (1994). Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) response to irrigation regime and plant population density. Horticulture Science, 29(2), 71-73.

Soufifard, S., & Sadeghi, S. M. (2020). Effect of potassium Sulfate fertilizer levels and row spacing on yield and yield components of bean in tea uprooted garden. Journal of Plant Ecophysiology, 40(12), 250-262. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Uddin, F. M., Hadiuzzaman, M., Rashid, M. H., & Karim, S. (2020). Effect of phosphorus and boron on the growth and yield of French bean. Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research, 6, 18-25. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajahr/2020/v6i430079

Ullah, I., Direk, M., & Chamidah, D. (2024). Effect of boron on growth and seed yield of pea cultivars. Journal of Natural Science and Learning, 3(1), 39-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.30742/jnsl.v3i1.137

Send comment about this article

Name *

Enter Name.

Email Address *

Enter a valid email address.

Affiliation *

Enter a vaid affiliation.

Comments *

Enter comments (At leaset 10 words)

Security Code *