Biozeolite for Improving Bean Production under Abiotic Stress Conditions

Abstract

Alleviating the adverse effect of drought and salinity is an important approach especially if climate change scenarios are realized. A Field experiment was carried out at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt to study the effect of zeolite (clinoptilolite as a most common type of zeolites minerals) and biozeolite (biofertilizer-zeolite mixture at a rate of BZ0, BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, and BZ4) for improving faba bean production under salinity (EC of soil = 8.2 dSm-1) and water stress (I1= 100% and I2= 85% of water requirements) compared to sole application of the biofertilizer and different rates of zeolite (Z0, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4). Under studied field conditions which are characterized by salinity and sandy texture, control plots recorded low values in most studied trails as a reflection to salinity stress. While applying both zeolite and biozeolite alleviated salinity stress where high significant increases in growth parameters and yield of bean exist. Irrespective of control (Z0) and single addition of biofertilizer (BZ0), the application of zeolite increases the growth parameters following the order: Z4>Z3>Z2>Z1 under both irrigation rates; I1>I2. On the other hand, all nutrient concentrations record an increase in case of low water amount except nitrogen. The maximum values of nutrient use efficiency (NPK-UE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and economic water productivity (EWP) were associated with the interactions (I1 x BZ4), (I2 x BZ3), and (I2 x BZ4). The chemical composition (total carbohydrates, total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannins) of seeds were determined. In addition to N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na content (kg/fed.), K/Na, Ca/Na and Mg/Na ratios were calculated.