Split application of molybdic fertilizer at the reproductive stage of common bean increases the molybdenum content in seed

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of split molybdenum (Mo) application at the reproductive stage of the common bean on seed Mo content (SMoC) and seed quality in two trials in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais. Plants were sprayed with 100 or 600 g Mo ha^-1 at the V4 stage. The higher dose was also split into 100(V4)+500(R5), 100(V4)+500(R7), 100(V4)+250(R5)+250(R7), and 100(V4)+150(R5)+350(R7). SMoC from plants sprayed with 600 g (five treatments) was 3.7- or 62-fold higher than those sprayed with 100 g, with seeds from the former treatments exhibiting slightly poorer quality. Application of 100 g at V4 + 500 g at the reproductive stage (four treatments) increased SMoC 1.6- or 2.7-fold compared with SMoC from plants sprayed with 600 g at V4. Split application of 500 g with two sprays increased SMoC by 11% (p = 0.257) or 16% (p = 0.013) compared with one spray of 500 g. SMoC can be higher with Mo applied at R7 (pod formation) instead of at R5 (pre-flowering), without impairing seed quality. Thus, split Mo application between the R5 and R7 stages of the common bean saves molybdic fertilizer to produce Mo-rich seeds, with only a slight decrease in seed quality.