Growth, productivity and pod quality responses of green bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris to foliar application of nutrients and pollen extracts.

Two field experiments were carried out during the two winter growing seasons of 2007 and 2008 aiming to improve growth, production and pod quality of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, L) cv. Pulista using “Milagrow”, a foliar fertilizer containing phosphorus (20%), potassium (10%), boron (3%) and natural substance extracted from pollen of cabbage. Five levels of application namely 0.0 (control), 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 g/100L were sprayed twice during the growing seasons in two and four weeks after planting. Data analysis showed that all sprayed concentrations improved plant growth i.e plant height, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weights of the plant. Pod yield as well as pod quality parameters were also improved as the concentrations of sprayed materials increased. The improvement in plant growth and production were positively correlated, with the highest response recorded with the concentration 5.0 g/100L after which the response started to decline but still significantly higher than control treatment. Mineral contents of N, P and K in the plant showed also similar trend to the applied concentrations. It could be concluded that the application of extracted natural materials such as pollen extracts of cabbage in combination with P, K and B in concentration of 5.0 g/100L gave the best improvement in plant growth and production.