Performance of common bean grown in acid soil under rates and sources of phosphorus fertilization

Abstract

Abstract Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is cultivated worldwide due to its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and high nutritional value. However, in most Brazilian soils, phosphorus (P) availability is limited because of strong adsorption to iron and aluminum oxides, making large fertilizer inputs necessary and increasing production costs. In this context, organic fertilization emerges as a potential alternative to improve P availability while enhancing soil quality. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of common bean under different sources and rates of phosphorus fertilization in acid soil. Six treatments were tested: control (no P fertilization), chemical fertilization with single superphosphate (SSP), and organic fertilization (Agregare Environmental Solutions) corresponding to 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% of the recommended P rate. The evaluated traits included number of pods per plant, grains per pod, grains per plant, final plant population, shoot dry mass, 100-grain weight, and grain yield. Chemical fertilization with SSP provided the highest productivity and overall agronomic performance. Organic fertilization, regardless of rate, did not result in significant differences among treatments. These findings highlight the higher agronomic efficiency of soluble phosphate fertilizers in short-cycle crops grown in acid soils, while emphasizing the need for integrated management strategies combining organic inputs and soil correction practices for sustainable production systems.