Effects of Potassium, Magnesium, and Micronutrient Fertilization on Snap Bean Yields and Plant Composition

Abstract

Snap beans were fertilized with 4 levels of Mg at each of 2 levels of K, and with Mn, Cu, Zn, and a micronutrient mixture at a single K level. Bean yields were not affected by any of the treatments. Top leaves, bottom leaves, and leaf petioles were taken for chemical analysis when the beans were in the early bloom stage of growth. Mg content of the bottom leaves was higher than that of the top leaves and petioles. Mg content increased with Mg applied and was higher at low K than at the high K level. Ca was also higher in the bottom leaves than in the top leaves or petioles. K content was higher in petioles than in leaves, and was higher at high K than at the low K level. No Mg effect was apparent. Mg content of petioles increased regularly with Zn < Mn < Cu < Mixture treatments. Zn, Mn, and Cu increased the Ca content of the bottom leaves. Zn reduced the K content of the bottom leaves. Bottom leaves contained a higher content of cations followed by petioles and top leaves.

Responses of yield, components of yield and nutrient contents of cow pea to magnesium fertilizer in a tropical rainforest region

“…Although the exchangeable soil Mg during the two growing seasons was equal to or lower than the threshold value recorded for maize by G. O. Kayode in the same zone, the present study gives very little evidence to suggest that Mg is critical to cow-pea production in the tropics. This result agrees with Seatz et al (1958) but contrasts with those of Price (1951) and Key & Kurtz (1960). It thus appears that a level of 0-43 m-equiv exchangeable Mg/lOOg soil should be adequate for successful cow-pea production in a typical forest zone within the tropics.…”

“…(1947). The lack of apparent Mg effect on K concentration is in accordance with Seatz et al (1958) but contrasts with that of Price (1951). There is no previous report on the effect of Mg on the secondary nutrient3 (Ca, Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn) concentrations of cow pea in the humid tropics, and there is therefore no result for direct comparison with those obtained in this study.…”

“…Apart from decreases in yield, Mg deficiency may greatly affect nutrient composition. Price (1951) and Seatz et al (1958) found that Mg concentration of snap bean was significantly increased by applied Mg; however, Seatz et al found that Mg effect on K concentration was not apparent, while Price reported reduced K in the leaves. No information is, however, available on the Mg effect on the micronutrient concentration of cow pea.…”

Fertilizer and Plant Density Effects on Yield Performance and Leaf Nutrient Concentration of Bush Snap Beans

“…At conventional row spacings of 76 to 96 cm, with populations of 20 to 30 plants/m2, snap bean yield responses to fertilizers have varied (1, 3,13,14). Patterson et al (9) found that maxiimum yields of 'Harvester' were produced at 56 to 84 kg N/ha in 5 U.S. locations.…”

“…First evidence of floral initiation in the olive occurs in late winter about 8 weeks before full bloom (4,13). The olive is day-neutral; flowering occurs in response to temperature (5).…”