IMR Press / FBE / Volume 14 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.31083/j.fbe1403021
Open Access Original Research
The Influence of Applications of Bio-Inputs Derived from Macroalgae and Bacteria on a Phaseolus vulgaris L. Crop
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1 Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agriculture College, 3045-601 Bencanta, Coimbra, Portugal
2 Research Centre for Natural Resources Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agriculture College, 3045-601 Bencanta, Coimbra, Portugal
3 Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras/UFLA, 37200-900 Lavras, Brazil
4 Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and Environment, Sydney, NS B1M 1A2, Canada
*Correspondence: kiril@esac.pt (Kiril Bahcevandziev); alan.critchley2016@gmail.com (Alan T. Critchley)
Academic Editor: Leonel Pereira
Front. Biosci. (Elite Ed) 2022, 14(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbe1403021
Submitted: 8 March 2022 | Revised: 31 March 2022 | Accepted: 1 April 2022 | Published: 15 August 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweed Applications in Food and Biotechnology)
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), is one of the most relevant legumes worldwide, as a source of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and biologically important minerals. In recent decades, bean production increased significantly, especially in developing countries, where the availability of animal protein is often in short supply. However, a large portion of this agricultural production has been achieved in an unsustainable manner, through the intensive use of non-renewable agrochemicals, which in both the short and long term negatively affect soil fertility. To address this problem, the use of sustainable and renewable bio-inputs derived from macroalgae, and microorganisms may be amongst solutions required. Extracts of seaweeds have been shown to be biodegradable and non-toxic both for treated plants and consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the application of three bio-inputs made from different organisms on a common bean variety (BRSMG Realce) by analysing plant physiology and productivity, pod morphology, nutritional and mineral characterization of the bean. The study also aimed to evaluate the length of BRSMG Realce crop life cycle and compare its nutritional value with other commonly consumed varieties. Methods: Six treatments were performed: T0 — Control; T1 — Calmar® (soil — 100 kg/ha); T2 — Profertil® (foliar — 0.5%(v/v)); T3 — Albit® (leaf — 0.02%(v/v)); T4 — Calmar® ((100 kg/ha) + Profertil® (0.5%(v/v)); T5 — Calmar® ((100 kg/ha) + Albit® (0.02% (v/v)). Results: The leaf chlorophyll index revealed significant increases for T2, T4 and T5, compared to control. In general, the treatments related to the pods morphology showed significant increases in the length/width ratio. In terms of productivity, significant increases were found with T1, T4 and T5. In the analysis of the nutritional value of dried beans there were significant increases in the contents of fiber in T1, protein in T4 and T5 and carbohydrates for T1, T2 and T3. For mineral composition, there were increases in the phosphorus content of T2, T4 and T5 beans. When the cooked beans were analysed, T4 and T1 produced a greater amount of ash and proteins, as compared to control. Conclusions: The applications of bio-inputs in the bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) exerted several positive and significant effects, mainly on the CCI, productivity, pod morphology as well as cooked bean nutritional values. It was verified that BRSMG Reakce has the potential to be included in the Portuguese diet.

Keywords
bean BRSMG realce
sustainability
bio-inputs
macroalgae
productivity
nutrition
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