International Journal of Agronomy
Volume 2019 (2019), Article ID 3830712, 8 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3830712

Research Article

The Response of Common Bean to Sulphur and Molybdenum Fertilization

Aleksandra Głowacka,¹ Tomasz Gruszecki,² Bogdan Szostak,³ and Sławomir Michałek⁴

¹Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
²Institute of Animal Breeding and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
³Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromathology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
⁴Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Correspondence should be addressed to Aleksandra Głowacka; aleksandra.glowacka@up.lublin.pl

Received 30 August 2018; Revised 13 November 2018; Accepted 22 November 2018; Published 3 February 2019

Guest Editor: Debjyoti Sen Gupta

Copyright © 2019 Aleksandra Głowacka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of sulphur and molybdenum fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of common bean seeds. A field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland in 2012–2014. The scheme of the study included the following treatments: O-control, Mo-molybdenum (100 g·ha⁻¹), SBS-sulphur before sowing (50 kg·ha⁻¹), SFA-sulphur foliar application (50 kg·ha⁻¹), Mo + SBS-molybdenum (100 g·ha⁻¹) and sulphur before sowing (50 kg·ha⁻¹), and Mo + SFA-molybdenum (100 g·ha⁻¹) and sulphur foliar application (50 kg·ha⁻¹). After harvesting, the following determinations were made in bean seeds: content of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, methionine, and cysteine. Application of Mo increased seed yield and protein and methionine content, as well as the content and uptake of P, Mg, and Ca in common bean seeds. Sulphur application had a positive effect on seed yield (13.6% increase) and protein content. Moreover, sulphur improved the biological value of protein by increasing the content of methionine, cysteine, and some macroelements. The most beneficial effects were obtained when both molybdenum and sulphur were used in fertilization. Considering the yield-producing effect and the impact on the biological quality of protein, sulphur fertilization should be included in the crop management for the common bean.

1. Introduction

Leguminous crops are unique in the high protein content of their seeds and their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen [1]. Legume seeds are also very good sources of proteins and amino acids in human and animal nutrition [2, 3]. According to Sulieman et al. [4], plants that acquire N by biological fixation (BNF) have a higher sulphur (S) requirement than those which use only soil N. In the physiology of legumes, sulphur has a dual role: it is necessary, as a component of methionine, cystine, and cysteine, for the biosynthesis of proteins and for the biological reduction of molecular nitrogen [5, 6]. Sulphur can influence BNF by modulating nodule growth and function or by affecting the growth of the host plant [7]. Deficiency of sulphur reduced BNF in pulse plants by decreasing ferredoxin and leghemoglobin concentrations and ATP supply [6]. According to Tabatabai [8], many crops around the world now require fertilization with sulphur. The main factors responsible for the greater need for sulphur application are increased use of high-analysis fertilizers containing little or no sulphur, increased crop yields, decreased use of sulphur as a pesticide, and decreased acquisition of atmospheric sulphur by soils and plants. In various countries, including Poland, some symptoms of sulphur deficiency in plant production have been recently observed [9]. The most sulphur-deficient soils occur in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Canada, and also more and more soils in sulphur-poor soil meet in Europe [10]. The deficiencies of this component in the arable soils may decrease the yield and quality of seeds of legumes, by increasing the content of protein, macroelements, and sulphur amino acids [3, 5, 11].

The nitrogen-fixing process depends on numerous factors, associated with the plant, the bacteria, their symbiosis, and the environment. The limited availability of certain nutrients is the most important factor limiting the efficiency of BNF [12]. Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for BNF, and its deficiency in soil can decrease this process. Molybdenum deficiency may result from continuous cropping, soil erosion, a reduction in soil organic matter, and acidification. This element stimulates BNF by nodules, living in symbiosis with them. The primary role of molybdenum is to enhance flavoprotein enzymes associated with nitrogen metabolism and to participate in the enzymatic activation of molecular hydrogen, resulting in a reduction in nitrogen. Molybdenum plays a role as a cofactor of the proteins responsible for electron transfer in the synthesis of the nitrogenase complex, which is responsible for the conversion of N₂ to ammonium [13].

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ranks third among all the major food legumes worldwide, after soybeans and peanut, and comprises 50% of the grain legumes consumed worldwide. It plays a significant role in human nutrition, as an economically viable source of protein, dietary fibre, and minerals [14, 15]. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of S and Mo fertilization on the yield and composition of common bean seeds.

2. Materials and Methods

Field experiments were conducted in years 2012, 2013, and 2014 in private farm located in powiat Zamość (50°73′N, 23°65′E), in southeastern Poland. In each year of research, the field experiment was assumed as one-factor in the arrangement of completely randomized blocks, in 4 replications. The experiment was located on brown soil of the group Cambisols [16] with neutral pH (7.0 in KCl), average organic matter content (20 g·kg⁻¹ according to Tiurin), high available of P and K content, average Mg content, and low S content. The subject of the study was the cultivar Aura of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The scheme of the study included the following treatments: O-control (without sulphur and molybdenum), Mo-molybdenum (100 g·ha⁻¹ of Mo as ammonium molybdate (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O–50 g·ha⁻¹ in the stage of 5–7 true leaves BBCH 15–17 and 50 g·ha⁻¹ before flowering BBCH 51–55), SBS-sulphur before sowing (50 kg·S·ha⁻¹ before sowing in the form of kieserite MgSO₄·7H₂O, as 16% Mg and 32% S), SFA-sulphur foliar application (50 kg·S·ha⁻¹ on two dates, half dose in the development phase of the leaves BBCH 15–17 and the second part before flowering BBCH 51–55; in the form of a 3% solution of kieserite MgSO₄·7H₂O, as 16% Mg and 32% S), Mo + SBS-molybdenum + sulphur before sowing, and Mo + SFA-molybdenum + sulphur foliar application.

Before common bean sowing, N at 30 kg·ha⁻¹ (ammonium nitrate), P at 31 kg·P·ha⁻¹ (as granular triple superphosphate), and K at 82 kg·ha⁻¹ (as potassium nitrate) were applied. The size of the plots was 15 m², spacing between rows was 45 cm, and density was 220.000 plants per hectare. The occurring weeds were controlled by chemical methods compliant with the recommendations of the Institute of Plant Protection in Poznań [17]. Herbicide Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC 1.5 dm³·ha⁻¹ (linuron 675 g·ha⁻¹) was applied after sowing, and Basagran 480 SL 1.25 dm³·ha⁻¹ (bentazon 600 g·ha⁻¹) and Targa Super 05 EC 1 dm³·ha⁻¹ (chizalofop-P-etylu 50 g·ha⁻¹) were applied after emergence, when the first pair of trifoliate leaves had unfolded in beans plants (BBCH 13-14). Beans were grown on-site, where the previous crop was spring barley. In the subsequent years of the study, beans were sown on 29th and 30th April and on 2nd May. Beans were grown for dry seeds and were harvested in the first week of September. After harvesting, seed yields were determined.

In dry mass (d.m.) of seeds, the following macronutrients were determined: nitrogen by Kjeldahl’s methods, total sulphur by the Bradley–Lancaster nephelometric method (after wet mineralization with concentrated sulfuric acid with 30% perhydrol), phosphorus by spectrophotometry, potassium and calcium by flame photometry, and magnesium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The analyses of macronutrients were performed at the Regional Chemical and Agricultural Station in Lublin. Content of S-containing protein amino acids (cysteine and methionine) was determined by the HPLC method in an INGOS AAA 400 amino acid analyser. The analyses of amino acids were performed at the Central Laboratory of Agroecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Total protein content in the seeds was calculated as 6.26 × Ntot content. The results were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance using Statistica 13 PL (StatSoft Poland). Analysis of variance (one-way) was carried out for each year of experiment separately. Two-factor analysis of variance (treatment and years) was also performed. There was no significant interaction between years of research and treatments. Differences between the means were assessed by protected Fischer’s test LSD values calculated for .

3. Results and Discussion

The weather in different growing seasons and the sulphur and molybdenum application had a significant effect on the seed yield of common bean and on its protein content (Tables 1 and 2). The highest yield, but with the lowest content of protein, was achieved in 2013, which was characterized by high and uniformly distributed precipitation (Figure 1).

Table 1: The influence of Mo and S application on the seeds yield and total protein content.

Treatment
Yield (dt·ha⁻¹)
Total protein content (%)

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
25.8a
27.9a
24.9a
26.2a
23.1a
19.4a
21.2a
21.2a

Mo
27.5ab
30.2b
27.2b
28.3ab
24.9b
19.8ab
22.3b
22.3b

SBS
29.1bc
31.0c
28.7b
29.8c
25.5bc
20.4b
22.6b
22.8c

SFA
30.1cd
31.0bc
28.3b
29.8c
25.9cd
20.7bc
22.9b
23.2c

Mo + SBS
30.2cd
32.1c
30.8c
31.0d
26.4cd
21.6cd
23.4c
23.8d

Mo + SFA
31.3d
32.5c
30.6c
31.5d
26.6d
21.9d
23.6c
24.3d

Mean
29.0A
31.0B
28.4A
—
25.4C
20.63A
22.62B
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years.

Table 2: The influence of Mo and S application on the yield of total protein and N : S ratio.

Treatment
Protein yield (kg·ha⁻¹)
N : S ratio

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
600.0a
540.6a
528.9a
556.5a
21.40d
24.26c
22.25d
22.64e

Mo
682.9b
597.4b
607.1b
623.1b
21.5d
22.16b
21.55c
21.77d

SBS
739.0bc
653.0c
649.3c
680.4c
20.30c
20.87a
20.37b
20.51c

SFA
779.8cd
641.2c
647.8c
689.6c
19.52bc
19.92a
19.68b
19.71b

Mo + SBS
796.7d
693.8d
719.6d
736.7d
19.32ab
20.46b
18.72a
20.15bc

Mo + SFA
832.2d
712.2d
709.8d
751.4d
18.65a
20.73a
18.10a
19.16a

Mean
738.4C
639.7A
643.8B
—
20.13A
21.73B
20.11A
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years.

Figure 1: Rainfall and air temperature in months 4–9 as compared to the long-term means (1971–2010), according to the Meteorological Station in Zamość.

In this growing period, the seeds had the highest content of methionine and cysteine (Table 3). The lowest yield of common bean seeds was recorded in the 2014 growing season, which had excessive rainfall in May and August. This may have adversely affected initial growth and impeded the maturation of common bean [18]. The highest content of protein, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium was observed in the year with the lowest sum of rainfall in the growing season. This result is supported by other authors, who reported that water stress increased content of prolamin in faba bean seeds [19] or content of protein in red been seeds [20]. The protein content in legumes depends not only on the agronomic practices and genetic properties of the variety but also on the climatic conditions prevailing during the vegetation period. The accumulation of protein in legumes is favoured by a higher average daily temperature and a light rainfall shortage [21].

Table 3: The influence of Mo and S application on the methionine and cysteine content.

Treatment
Metionine (mg·g⁻¹)
Cysteine (mg·g⁻¹)

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
4.00a
4.14b
2.05a
3.40a
3.13a
3.33a
2.37a
2.94b

Mo
4.07a
4.25a
2.75ab
3.69b
3.17ab
3.15b
2.13b
2.82a

SBS
4.11b
4.70c
3.67b
4.16c
3.56b
3.70c
2.47c
3.24c

SFA
4.23c
4.82c
3.92c
4.32d
3.7c5
3.74d
2.59d
3.36d

Mo + SBS
4.36c
5.20d
3.94cd
4.50e
3.68d
3.99e
2.67d
3.45e

Mo + SFA
4.40c
5.31d
4.08d
4.60f
3.74d
4.04f
2.74e
3.51f

Mean
4.20B
4.74C
3.40A
—
3.51B
3.66C
2.52A
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years.

Through its role in fixation of N by legumes, molybdenum not only has a significant impact on the yield of the crop but can also increase the content of protein, chlorophyll, and vitamins. Togay et al. [22] reported that molybdenum application at a rate of 6 g·kg⁻¹ seeds significantly increased the yield of lentil seed, by 31%, and protein content, by 8.4%. In our study, application of molybdenum increased seed yield by 8.0%, nitrogen and protein content by 5.2%, and protein yield by 13.8%, on average for the experiment (Tables 1, 2, and 4).

Table 4: The influence of Mo and S application on the nitrogen and sulphur content.

Treatment
Nitrogen (g·N·kg⁻¹·d.m.)
Sulphur (g·S·kg⁻¹·d.m.)

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
36.94a
30.97a
33.90a
33.94a
2.03a
1.58a
1.82a
1.81a

Mo
39.73b
31.62ab
35.62b
35.66b
2.14b
1.73b
1.95b
1.94b

SBS
40.67bc
32.56b
36.19bc
36.47c
2.30c
1.86c
2.08c
2.08c

SFA
41.37cd
33.07bc
36.58bc
37.01c
2.42d
1.96d
2.16d
2.18d

Mo + SBS
42.17d
34.50cd
37.38c
38.02d
2.48e
1.84c
2.30e
2.21d

Mo + SFA
42.49d
34.98d
37.10c
38.19d
2.58f
1.99d
2.35e
2.31e

Mean
40.56B
32.95A
36.13C
—
2.33B
1.83A
2.11C
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years; d.m., dry matter.

According to Campo et al. [12], foliar application of molybdenum increased soybean seed yield by 7–16% and protein content by 5-6%. In addition, in the cited work, grain yield gains obtained with molybdenum complementation depended on the molybdenum content in the seeds used for sowing and were more pronounced for Mo-poor seeds than for Mo-rich seeds.

Sulphur fertilization, regardless of the method of application, was more effective than fertilization of molybdenum. Application of 50 kg·ha⁻¹ of sulphur had a positive effect on seed yield (14.5% increase), nitrogen, and protein content. Differences between the method of sulphur application were small and statistically insignificant. The highest yield of bean seeds, protein, and nitrogen content in seeds was found after the use of molybdenum and sulphur, and the way sulphur was brought had no significant effect. The greatest increases in sulphur content, as compared to the control treatment, were identified as a result of the application of molybdenum and sulphur used in the foliar applications (Tables 1, 2, and 4). Numerous studies confirm the beneficial effect of sulphur on the yield of leguminous plants, i.e., for narrow-leaf lupin [5], broad bean, [7] common bean [3]. Similarly, the positive effect of sulphur fertilization of legumes on nitrogen content and uptake is also confirmed by other authors [23, 24]. However, this is not the rule because according to Barłóg et al. [25], fertilization with sulphur did not have a significant impact on the horse bean yield and did not increase the sulphur content in the seeds. According to various authors, high yield effectiveness of sulphur fertilization can be achieved on soils characterized by a deficit of this element [5, 26, 27]. Sulphur fertilization has a positive effect on the binding of atmospheric nitrogen by root nodules of plants from the Fabaceae family and better utilization of mineral nitrogen, and thus higher production of protein and plant biomass. Shock et al. [28] observed that following correction of soil S-deficiency, the yield of subclover increased threefold and the amount of fixed N increased more than 12-fold. Thus, dry matter and BNF can be adversely affected by severe nutrient deficiencies [29]. An analysis conducted by Divito and Sadras [30] revealed that S starvation may directly impair nodule productivity. However, positive or neutral effects are also possible, depending on the combination of plant species, the severity of the nutrient stress, and the ratio between N demand and nodule mass. Barczak et al. [23] reported that the uptake of nitrogen in narrow-leaf lupin was significantly higher as a result of foliar application of sulphur, as compared with the application into soil. In our study, the method of sulphur application did not affect nitrogen uptake by the bean. But the largest nitrogen uptake was found in combinations where molybdenum and sulphur were used (Figure 2).

(a)

(b)

Figure 2: The influence of Mo and S application on the (a) nitrogen uptake (kg·N·ha⁻¹) and (b) sulphur uptake (kg·S·ha⁻¹) (mean for 2012–2014).

Plants also require sulphur for structurally and physiologically important disulphide linkages and sulfhydryl groups, as well as for activation of certain enzymes. Beans require one part of sulphur for every 12–17 parts of nitrogen to ensure maximum production [8]. In our study, the N : S ratio was decreased by molybdenum or sulphur application. The narrowest proportion of these nutrients was found in the conditions of the use of sulphur foliar application (SFA) or molybdenum and sulphur foliar application (Mo + SFA). Been seeds as the most other plant foodstaff are characterized by a S : N ratio situated between 1 : 20 and 1 : 35, meaning well below human tissue requirements (1 : 14.5) [31].

Grain legumes are considered a major source of dietary proteins, but the amino acid profiles of proteins in leguminous seeds are unbalanced. Essential sulphur-containing amino acids, i.e., methionine and cysteine, are considered the most critical limiting components of legume proteins [2, 11]. The most plants used for human consumption reveal limiting sulphur amino acids content in relation to human requirements. The notable exception is soy products because of its unusual N and sulphur amino acids content. Soy adequately fulfills human tissue requirements and does not necessitate supplemental methionine to reach the biological value of animal foodstuffs [31]. Sulphur plays an important role in the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and coenzymes [6]. Recent studies indicate that lack of sulphur to meet plant requirements may reduce not only yields but also the quality of grain legumes (reduction of cysteine and methionine) by changing the gene expression of storage proteins in developing seeds [3, 8]. Molybdenum is also important for sulphur metabolism, so it can have a positive impact on the biological value of protein [32]. In our study, the effect of molybdenum application on the content of sulphur-containing amino acids was inconclusive. Content of methionine was increased significantly, while cysteine content was decreased in relation to the control. Application of sulphur (before sowing or as foliar application) significantly increased the methionine and cysteine content in comparison with the control and with molybdenum application. Most preferably, the content of the analyzed sulphur amino acids was influenced by the fertilization with both components (Table 3). This result is supported by Klikocka et al. [26], who reported that sulphur significantly increased the content of cysteine (by 6.0%) and methionine (by 16.5%) in spring wheat seeds. In the study conducted by Pandurangan et al. [3], the changes in the concentration of the sulphur amino acids after sulphur application were different between genotypes of common bean. The cited authors stated that adequate sulphur nutrition is required to maximize the concentration of sulphur amino acids and therefore protein quality in genotypes lacks phaseolin and major lectins. Therefore, as deposition of sulphur due to atmospheric pollution decreases, sulfate fertilization might become necessary for common bean production [3], as well as for other legumes [33].

Common bean is an important source of minerals for humans. It provides 25% of the daily requirement for magnesium and 15% of potassium [34]. Analysis of variance confirmed a significant effect of the fertilization tested on nutrient accumulation in bean seeds. Molybdenum application significantly increased P, Mg, and Ca content and uptake in the seeds of common bean (Tables 5 and 6; Figures 3 and 4). Togay et al. [22] also reported that application of Mo increased the content of K and P in lentil seeds. These results are in agreement with glasshouse and field studies conducted by Makoi et al. [15], where it was shown that there were significant differences in the uptake of P, K, Ca, and Mg by common bean after molybdenum application. According to the cited authors, greater plant nutrient requirement during the N₂ fixation by legumes such as P. vulgaris has similarly necessitated greater uptake of such macroelements from the rhizosphere to the plant.

Table 5: The influence of Mo and S application on the phosphorus and potassium content.

Treatment
Phosphorus (g·P·kg⁻¹·d.m.)
Potassium (g·K·kg⁻¹·d.m.)

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
3.92b
2.70a
3.64b
3.42a
20.3cd
18.9b
19.1c
19.4cd

Mo
4.10c
3.28c
3.82c
3.73c
19.3a
18.9ab
18.1a
18.8a

SBS
3.71a
3.11b
3.45a
3.42a
19.8b
18.6a
18.6b
19.0b

SFA
3.78a
3.21bc
3.54a
3.51b
20.0bc
19.0bc
18.7b
19.2bc

Mo + SBS
4.36d
3.51d
4.05d
3.97d
20.4d
19.2c
19.2c
19.6d

Mo + SFA
4.33d
3.60d
4.01d
3.98d
20.3cd
19.3c
19.1c
19.6d

Mean
4.03C
3.23A
3.75B
—
20.0C
19.0B
18.8A
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years; d.m., dry matter.

Table 6: The influence of Mo and S application on the calcium and magnesium content.

Treatment
Calcium (g·Ca·kg⁻¹·d.m.)
Magnesium (g·Mg·kg⁻¹·d.m.)

2012
2013
2014
Mean
2012
2013
2014
Mean

O
0.70a
1.00a
0.66a
0.79a
1.80a
1.81a
1.71a
1.77a

Mo
0.90b
1.00a
0.86b
0.92b
2.01b
1.80a
1.91b
1.91b

SBS
1.23c
1.08b
1.17c
1.16c
2.00b
1.91b
1.90b
1.94b

SFA
1.30cd
1.18c
1.19c
1.22d
2.10c
1.92bc
1.95c
1.99c

Mo + SBS
1.29cd
1.14bc
1.23c
1.22d
2.21d
1.98c
2.10d
2.04d

Mo + SFA
1.34d
1.18c
1.21c
1.24d
2.23d
1.97c
2.12d
2.11d

Mean
1.13C
1.10B
1.05A
—
2.06C
1.89A
1.95B
—

Values with different letters differ significantly (); small letters in the column: treatments; capital letters in line: years; d.m., dry matter.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: The influence of Mo and S application on the (a) phosphorus uptake (kg·P·ha⁻¹) and (b) potassium uptake (kg·K·ha⁻¹) (mean for 2012–2014).

(a)

(b)

Figure 4: The influence of Mo and S application on the (a) calcium uptake (kg·Ca·ha⁻¹) and (b) magnesium uptake (kg·Mg·ha⁻¹) (mean for 2012–2014).

Application of sulphur (SBS or SFA) significantly increased Ca content as compared to the control (O) and to molybdenum (Mo) fertilization. Barczak et al. [23] reported that foliar sulphur application, as compared with its application into soil, showed a significantly better effect on the potassium content in lupin seeds. In our study, sulphur fertilization did not affect the potassium content, but the foliar sulphur application significantly increased the phosphorus content in common bean seeds in comparison with control. But effectiveness of sulphur was smaller than molybdenum. Application of molybdenum and sulphur (Mo + SBS or Mo + SFA) significantly increased P and Mg content and uptake in common bean seeds. Klikocka and Głowacka [35] reported that sulphur fertilization increased calcium and magnesium content in potato tubers. Similarly, Brodowska and Kaczor [36] demonstrated that fertilizing with sulphur, irrespective of its form, clearly increased the uptake of magnesium and calcium by the plants. But Barczak et al. [23] observed that the narrow-leafed lupin fertilised with sulphur showed a significantly lower content of calcium and magnesium than the control.

According to Baudoin and Maquet [11], the correlation between seed yield of beans and protein content is small but positive, and the correlation between seed yield and specific amino acid contents is significant. Moreover, the negative correlation between total protein concentration and sulphur-containing amino acid content is largely due to the differential accumulation of storage proteins, with different proportions of amino acids. Our experiment also found significant positive correlations between seed yield and the content of methionine and cysteine. No correlation was found between total protein content and yield as well as between protein content and cysteine and methionine content in bean seeds (Table 7).

Table 7: Correlation coefficients between yield and some traits of seeds.

Traits
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

(1) Yield
−0.014
0.200
0.014
−0.376
0.619
0.758
−0.053
−0.059
0.684
0.484

(2) % protein
—
0.910
1.000
−0.564
0.144
0.010
0.831
0.681
0.438
0.768

(3) S

—
0.910
−0.848
0.103
0.075
0.813
0.604
0.601
0.863

(4) N

—
−0.564
0.144
0.010
0.831
0.681
0.483
0.768

(5) N : S

0.010
−0.136
−0.593
−0.315
−0.618
−0.728

(6) Cysteine

—
0.838
−0.072
0.492
0.448
0.325

(7) Metionine

—
−0.136
0.248
0.576
0.361

(8) P

—
0.568
0.184
0.692

(9) K

—
0.234
0.482

(10) Ca

—
0.773

(11) Mg

—

Bold letters indicate and .

4. Conclusion

The results of the study indicated that molybdenum and sulphur application increased the yield of common bean seeds and the content and yield of total protein, as well as nitrogen and sulphur. Moreover, sulphur improved the biological value of protein by increasing the content of methionine, cysteine, and some macronutrients. The most beneficial effects were obtained when both molybdenum and sulphur were used in fertilization. In the case of nitrogen, sulphur, methionine, cysteine, and some macroelements, the foliar application of sulphur was more favourable than its soil application before common bean sowing. Considering the yield-producing effect and the impact on the biological quality of the protein, sulphur fertilization should be included in the crop management practices for common bean.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland as part of statutory activities of Faculty of Agrobioengineering (project number RKS/DS/6), the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, and the Institute of Animal Breeding and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The research was also funded by the project "The use and the conservation of farm animal genetic resources under sustainable development" cofinanced by the National Centre for Research and Development within the framework of the strategic R&D programme “Environment, agriculture and forestry” (BIOSTRATEG, contract number: BIOSTRATEG2/297267/14/NCBR/2016).

References

E. A. E. Elsheikh and A. A. Elzidany, “Effect of Rhizobium inoculation, organic and chemical fertilizers on proximate composition, in vitro protein digestibility, tannin and sulphur content of faba beans,” Food Chemistry, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 41–45, 1997.

M. Duranti, “Grain legume proteins and nutraceutical properties,” Fitoterapia, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 67–82, 2006.

S. Pandurangan, M. Sandercock, R. Beyaert, K. L. Conn, A. Hou, and F. Marsolais, “Differential response to sulfur nutrition of two common bean genotypes differing in storage protein composition,” Frontiers in Plant Sciences, vol. 6, p. 92, 2015.

S. Sulieman, S. A. Fischinger, P. M. Gresshoff, and J. Schulzea, “Asparagine as a major factor in the N-feedback regulation of N₂ fixation in Medicago truncatula,” Physiologia Plantarum, vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 21–31, 2013.

B. Barczak, K. Nowak, T. Knapowski, M. Ralcewicz, and W. Kozera, “Reaction of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) to sulphur fertilization part I. Yield and selected yield structure components,” Fragmenta Agronomica, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 23–34, 2013, in Polish.

H. W. Scherer, S. Pacyna, K. R. Spoth, and M. Schulz, “Low levels of ferredoxin, ATP and leghemoglobin contribute to limited N2 fixation of peas (Pisum sativum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under S deficiency conditions,” Biology and Fertility of Soils, vol. 44, no. 7, pp. 909–916, 2008.

S. Pacyna, M. Schulz, and H. W. Scherer, “Influence of sulphur supply on glucose and ATP concentrations of inoculated broad beans (Vicia faba minor L.),” Biology and Fertility of Soils, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 324–329, 2005.

M. A. Tabatabai, “Importance of sulphur in crop production,” Biogeochemistry, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 45–62, 1984.

J. Kozłowska-Strawska and A. Badora, “Effect of soil factors on sulphur changes and availability for plants,” Ecological Chemistry and Engineering A, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 303–312, 2014.

F. Wielebski, “The role of sulphur as a factor affecting quantity and quality of yield of winter oilseed rape,” Rośliny Oleiste–Oilseed Crops, vol. 36, pp. 39–59, 2015, in Polish.

J. P. Baudoin and A. Maquet, “Improvement of protein and amino acid contents in seeds of food legumes. A case study in Phaseolus,” Biotechnology Agronomy Society Environment, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 220–224, 1999.

R. J. Campo, R. S. Araujo, and M. Hungria, “Molybdenum-enriched soybean seeds enhance N accumulation, seed yield, and seed protein content in Brazil,” Field Crops Research, vol. 110, no. 3, pp. 219–224, 2009.

D. C. Martens and D. T. Westermann, “Fertilizers applications for correcting micronutrient deficiencies,” in Micronutrients in Agriculture, J. J. Mortvedt, F. R. Cox, L. M. Shuman, and R. M. Welch, Eds., pp. 90–112, Soil Sciences Society of America, Madison, WI, USA, 2nd edition, 1991.

A. Iqbal, I. A. Khalil, N. Ateeq, and M. Sayyar Khan, “Nutritional quality of important food legumes,” Food Chemistry, vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 331–335, 2006.

J. H. J. R. Makoi, S. Bambara, and P. A. Ndakidemi, “Rhizobium inoculation and the supply of molybdenum and lime affect the uptake of macroelements in common bean (P. vulgaris L.) plants,” Australian Journal of Crop Sciences, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 784–793, 2013.

IUSS Working Group WRB, “World reference base for soil resources 2006, 2nd edition,” World Soil Resources Reports no. 103. FAO, Rome, Italy, 2006.

Plant Protection Recommendadtions, Institute of Plant Protection in Poznan, Poznań, Poland, 2012.

A. Głowacka, H. Klikocka, and J. Onuch, “Content of zinc and iron in common bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in different weed control methods,” Journal of Elementology, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 293–303, 2015.

H. M. Migdadi, E. H. El-Harty, A. Salamh, and M. A. Khan, “Yield and proline content of faba bean genotypes under water stress treatments,” Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 1772–1779, 2016.

M. Asemanrafat and T. Honar, “Effect of water stress and plant density on canopy temperature, yield components and protein concentration of red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Akhtar),” International Journal of Plant Production, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 241–258, 2017.

W. Biel, D. Gawęda, E. Łysoń, and G. Hury, “The effect of variety and agrotechnical factors on nutritive value of soybean seeds,” Acta Agrophysica, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 395–404, 2017, in Polish.

Y. Togay, N. Togay, and Y. Dogan, “Research on the effect of phosphorus and molybdenum applications on the yield and yield parameters in lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.),” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 7, no. 9, pp. 1256–1260, 2008.

B. Barczak, T. Knapowski, W. Kozera, and M. Ralcewicz, “Effects of sulphur fertilisation on the content and uptake of macroelements in narrow-leaf lupin,” Romanian Agricultural Research, no. 31, 2014, DII 2067-5720 RAR 2014-362.

M. Islam, S. Mohsan, and S. Ali, “Effect of different phosphorus and sulfur levels on nitrogen fixation and uptake by chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.),” Agrociencia, vol. 46, pp. 1–13, 2012.

P. Barłóg, A. Niewiadomska, and K. Ambroży-Deręgowska, “Effect of sulphur fertilisation on seed yield and yield components of broad bean on the background of different levels of potassium content in soil,” Fragmenta Agronomica, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 7–17, 2014.

H. Klikocka, M. Cybulska, B. Barczak et al., “The effect of sulphur and nitrogen fertilization on grain yield and technologiscal quality of spring wheat,” Plant, Soil and Environment, vol. 62, no. 5, pp. 230–236, 2016.

N. G. Riley, F. J. Zhao, and S. P. McGrath, “Availability of different forms of sulphur fertilisers to wheat and oilseed rape,” Plant and Soil, vol. 222, no. 1-2, pp. 139–147, 2000.

C. C. Shock, W. A. Williams, M. B. Jones, D. M. Center, D. A. Donald, and A. Phillips, “Nitrogen fixation by subclover associations fertilized with sulfur,” Plant and Soil, vol. 81, no. 3, pp. 323–332, 1984.

P. M. Chalk, “Integrated effects of mineral nutrition on legume performance,” Soil Biology and Biochemistry, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 577–579, 2000.

G. A. Divito and V. O. Sadras, “How do phosphorus, potassium and sulphur affect plant growth and biological nitrogen fixation in crop and pasture legumes? A meta-analysis,” Field Crops Research, vol. 156, pp. 161–171, 2014.

Y. Ingenbleek, “The nutritional relationship linking sulfur to nitrogen in living organisms,” Journal of Nutrition, vol. 136, no. 6, pp. 1641S–1651S, 2006.

B. N. Kaiser, K. L. Gridley, J. Ngaire Brady, T. Phillips, and S. D. Tyerman, “The role of molybdenum in agricultural plant production,” Annals of Botany, vol. 96, no. 5, pp. 745–754, 2005.

W. Szulc, B. Rutkowska, T. Sosulski, E. Szara, and W. Stępień, “Assessment of sulphur demand of crops under permanent fertilization experiment,” Plant, Soil and Environment, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 135–140, 2014.

S. Nchimbi-Ms and G. M. Tryphone, “The effects of the environment on iron and zinc concentrations and performance of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes,” Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 455–462, 2010.

H. Klikocka and A. Głowacka, “Does the sulphur fertilization modify magnesium and calcium content in potato tubers (Solanum tubersosum L.)?” Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Hortorum Cultus, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 41–53, 2013.

M. Brodowska and A. Kaczor, “The effect of various forms of sulphur and nitrogen on calcium and magnesium content and uptake in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.),” Journal of Elementology, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 641–647, 2009.