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Foliar Fertilization of Dry Beans with Zn and NPKS¹

In response to increasing grower use of foliar fertilization, field experiments were conducted from 1977 through 1979 to evaluate the effects of Zn and NPKS foliar fertilization of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on nutrient concentrations in the tissue and on yield.

Commercial Zn formulations of ZnSO₄, ZnEDTA (Zn ethylenediamine tetraacetate), NZn and ZnPK were sprayed at growth stages ranging from early vegetative (V4) to early bloom (R1). Foliar NPKS was applied at growth stages ranging from full bloom (R2) to fully expanded seed (R7). Foliar Zn and NPKS were applied either separately or together in combination treatments.

Throughout the study there was no yield increase from foliar-applied Zn when soil Zn was adequate. There was a yield increase over the untreated check in 1978 but not in 1979. No consistent differences in bean yields were observed among ZnSO₄, ZnEDTA, NZn, or ZnKP. Stage of growth at which the foliar fertilization was applied did not affect yield response.

All foliar Zn treatments increased plant tissue Zn except at growth stage V4 which had insufficient foliage to intercept the spray. Similar tissue Zn cone resulted from foliar ZnSO₄, ZnEDTA, and ZnKP. The NZn material, containing Zn dissolved in a solution of urea, ammonium, and nitrate N, consistently resulted in about twofold greater tissue Zn than the other Zn materials.

Concentrations of N, P, K, and Zn in the bean seed were not consistently affected by foliar applications of Zn or NPKS. Even twofold to fourfold differences in whole plant Zn cone did not affect seed Zn cone.

Key Words: ZnSO₄ • ZnEDTA • Zinc • Nitrogen • Phosporus • Potassium • Sulfur • Growth stages • Phaseolus vulgaris L. • Seed Zn content

² Research soil scientist, USDA, ARS, Prosser, WA 99350.

Received for publication July 10, 1981.