Abstract:
Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of different molybdenum (Mo) application methods on the yield, quality and physiological metabolism of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), providing a scientific basis for high-yield and high-efficiency fertilization strategies.
Method Field experiments were conducted in Baoding, Hebei Province, from 2021 to 2023, using two adzuki bean cultivars, Baohong 8824 and Baohong 947. Four treatments were established: no Mo application (T1), basal application of Mo (T2), seed dressing with Mo (T3), and foliar spraying of Mo (T4). Phenotypic traits such as plant height and root length were measured at the branching, full flowering, and pod-filling stages. Photosynthetic characteristics, yield, quality-related data, and root structural features were recorded and analyzed.
Results Across 2021 to 2023, T3 treatment increased significantly the root length, root surface area, root volume, and number of root nodules of Baohong 947 by 20.12%, 25.37%, 42.86%, and 28.73%, and those of Baohong 8824 by 32.58%, 35.42%, 30.15%, and 30.15%, respectively, compared with T1. T2 and T4 treatment also exhibited root morphology indexes higher than T1 but significantly lower than T3. Compared with T1, T2, T3 and T4 treatment enhanced the average seed yields of Baohong947 and Baohong8824 by 9.88%, 19.97%, and 5.19%, respectively; T3 promoted the seed starch content of Baohong947 and Baohong8824 by 11.02% and 10.23%, the soluble sugar by 25.24% and 24.15%, soluble protein by 9.71% and 8.65%, and fat by 40.24% and 38.17% (P<0.05). T3 treatment showed the most significant promotion effect on dry matter accumulation (25.87% for Baohong947 and 33.57% for Baohong8824), net photosynthetic rate (78.47%, 27.23%), transpiration rate (35.21%, 28.36%), amylase activity (36.31%, 35.64%), and nitrate reductase activity (26.52%, 15.63%). T2 and T4 showed promotion effects on the indicators that were higher than T1 but lower than T3 (P<0.05).
Conclusion Seed dressing of ammonia molybdate demonstrated the most effective on enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and transpiration rate, promoting root development and dry matter accumulation, significantly increasing yield and quality of adzuki bean. Basal application or leaf spraying of ammonia molybdate showed not that obvious effect. So seed dressing of ammonia molybdate is recommended in the production of adzuki bean production.