The Impact of Varied Levels and Application Methods of Boric Acid on the Performance and Protein Content

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of boron (B) application on the yield and protein content of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a crop of significant importance due to its high protein and essential amino acid content. The study underscores boron's crucial, albeit still unclear, role in plant growth, and notes the damage boron deficiency and excess can cause, such as thickened stems, rough leaf tissues, stunted growth, and leaf scorching. Highlighting the plant species-dependent variance in optimal boron requirements, with legumes including common bean often needing more, the study reveals that a foliar application of 0.05% boric acid concentration, applied twice post-emergence, maximizes seed yield, while higher concentrations are detrimental. The research thus emphasizes the necessity of striking a balance in boron application to avoid either deficiency or toxicity, offering insights into appropriate boron dosage and application method for effective common bean cultivation. By contributing to a broader understanding of boron's role in common bean production and offering directions for optimized fertilization practices, this study helps improve both crop yield and quality. However, it also signals the need for further exploration of the long-term effects of boron application and its interaction with other nutrients under different environmental conditions.