Photosynthetic Gas Exchange and Nitrogen Assimilation in Green Bean Plants Supplied with Two Sources of Silicon

Abstract

Beans contain a wide range of vitamins, proteins, calcium, and zinc which make them an important food source for many countries. To meet the demand for bean production worldwide, large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides are used. However, the cost of production and environmental impact increases. To produce food sustainably, the use of beneficial nutrients such as silicon as a biostimulant has been proposed. However, information about the effect of different sources of silicon on the metabolism of bean plants is scarce. Bean plants cv. Strike were grown in pots for 60 days and the effect of foliar application of silicon nanoparticles and the silicon-based biostimulant Codasil® at 4 concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 4 mM) on total biomass, yield, photosynthetic pigment concentration, photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, and nitrogen assimilation were evaluated. The results obtained showed that the supply of silicon at a dose of 1 mM functioned as a biostimulant, favoring gas exchange and nitrogen assimilation within the plant, which stimulated growth and yield. The results of this research work allowed a better comprehension of the effects of silicon application through silicon nanoparticles and the biostimulant Codasil® on the physiology of green bean plants.