Nitrogen changes in the leaves and accumulation of some minerals in the seeds of red, white and chitti beans ('Phaseolus vulgaris') under water deficit conditions

• Published in: Australian Journal of Crop Science Vol. 7; no. 5; pp. 706 - 712
• Main Authors: Ali Akbar Ghanbari, Mohammad Reza Shakiba, Mahmood Toorchi, Rajab Choukan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lismore, N.S.W Southern Cross Publishers 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Breeding; Common bean; Crops; Effect of minerals on; Effect of nitrogen on; Fixation; Nitrogen; Plants
• ISSN: 1835-2693

Field studies were carried out using split-plot experiments in randomized complete block design with four replications. The objective of the studies was to determine the nitrogen (N) contents in the leaves and seeds in addition with some other mineral nutrients in the seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes grown under contrasting water regimes. Two levels of irrigation (irrigation after 55-60 and 100-110 mm evaporation from class A pan as normal and water stress conditions, respectively) and eight genotypes of beans including Chitti (COS16, KS21486, and MCD4011), red (Akhtar, AND1007, and D81083) and white (WA4502-1 and WA4531-17) were investigated in main- and sub-plots, respectively. Total N content of leaves at two growth stages (pre-flowering and seed filling period) and total contents of seed iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), phosphorous (P), nitrogen and protein were measured at harvesting. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences between genotypes in the studied traits. Irrigation regimes had significant effect on all traits except to seed N and protein contents. The results indicated that white beans had lower leaf N and seed protein contents than red and Chitti beans under both irrigation regimes. Under drought condition, AND1007 and COS16 showed significantly (p<=0.05) higher levels of leaf N (1.88 and 1.83 in vegetative stage and 0.72 and 0.73 in R8 stage, respectively). Also, seed protein in water stressed plants was higher in Chitti beans. Water deficit reduced the mean leaf N by 19% and mean grain yield by 52.7% in all genotypes. Water deficiency significantly reduced seed Fe, Zn, and P contents, but the impact of drought on Fe and P contents was more than on Zn and N contents. Under stress condition, Chitti beans showed the lowest decrease (16.5%) in their seeds iron contents. Genotypes AND1007, COS16, MCD4011 and WA4502-1 were classified as efficient water users based on grain yield efficiency index (GYEI). Overall, genotypes that produce high grain yield under stress conditions and respond well to irrigation are the most desirable because they are able to express their high yield potential in a wide range of water availability.