Sand-based Soil Properties and Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yield as Affected by Biochar and Foliar Application of Three Distinct Types of Iron

Bashandy, Samah; Sarhan, Mohamed Gamal; Moustafa, Yasser

doi:10.21608/ejoh.2025.385353.1286

Sand-based Soil Properties and Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yield as Affected by Biochar and Foliar Application of Three Distinct Types of Iron

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Soil and Water Sci. Dep., Fac., of Agric., Minia University, Egypt

² Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center Egypt

³ Horticulture Dep., Fac. Of Agric., Minia University, Minia, Egypt

10.21608/ejoh.2025.385353.1286

Abstract

Plant growth is hindered by the infertility of sandy soil, which lacks organic matter and essential nutrients. Beans, in particular, require iron, a vital micronutrient necessary for photosynthesis and chlorophyll synthesis. Biochar has been shown to significantly enhance soil fertility. This study was conducted over two growing seasons, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, to evaluate the effects of three different types of iron applied as a foliar spray at a concentration of 50 mg/L specifically iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃), ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄), and iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA) in combination with three rates of biochar fertilizer (0.0, 1.5, and 3.0 tons per feddan). The study aimed to assess various parameters, including vegetative growth (plant height, number of branches per plant, and fresh and dry weight per plant), green pod yield, the physical quality of pods (length and weight), and the nutritional value of both bean leaves and pods (including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron). Additionally, the chemical quality of the pods was analyzed, looking at protein, total carbohydrates, and fiber content. Results indicated that all treatments had a significant impact on these parameters. Notably, except for soil salinity, which improved with the application of biochar, the soil properties (including soil interaction, organic matter, and bulk density) also showed improvement after the bean harvest as the rates of biochar fertilizer increased from zero to three tons per feddan. The study concluded that applying 3.0 tons of biochar per feddan and foliar spraying of iron nanoparticles at a concentration of 50 mg/L was the most effective treatment. This combination significantly influenced all measured parameters, while the lowest values were observed when no biochar was added, and no foliar iron was applied.

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