Fertilization management in 'Pinto Centauro' beans and its impact on yield, nutritional quality and profitability index

Abstract

Fertilization offers a way to counteract micronutrient deficiencies and achieve a higher mineral content in plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response to fertilization management in 'Pinto Centauro' beans, as well as its impact on yield, nutritional quality and profitability index. The study was conducted during the spring-summer 2017 growing season in a rainfed 'Pinto Centauro' bean crop in the municipality of Cusihuiriachi, Chihuahua, Mexico. A randomized complete block experimental design was used with three fertilization management schemes: control FM1 (N, P and K, with 41, 46 and 22 kg∙ha-1, respectively), fertilization FM2 (N, P, K, S and Zn, with 41, 46, 22, 12 and 1 kg∙ha-1, respectively) and fertilization FM3 (N, P, K, S and Zn, with 45, 60, 22, 22 and 1.5 kg∙ha-1, respectively). Yield, nutritional quality (physicochemical properties and mineral content) and profitability were evaluated. The results obtained were statistically significant. FM3 fertilization increased yield by 46.26 %. In terms of nutritional quality, the highest concentrations were 8.35 % protein, 74 % phosphorus, 16.3 % iron and 39.77 % zinc. The profitability index was higher (55 %) with the FM3 treatment, compared to the control. Fertilization improved bean productivity and quality under rainfed conditions, making it a viable and sustainable strategy in semi-arid bean producing regions in Mexico and the world.