Gas exchange and chlorophyll content in common bean cv. "BRSMG Madrepérola" under rare earth element foliar application

Abstract

Rare Earth Elements (REE) have been applied in China to several crops to increase agricultural productivity. In this country, for example, crops treated with commercial leaf fertilizers including ETRs showed an increase of about 10 to 20% in productivity. However, the effects of these elements on plant physiology have not been elucidated. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of REE on plant physiology in order to verify how these elements result in increased productivity, through acting as bio-stimulants of growth and development. In view of this, the present study aimed to evaluate REE effects on the physiology of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. BRSMG Madrepérola, in order to elucidate how these elements act as bio-stimulants of plant growth and development. For this reason, two products containing Ce and La separately, and one product containing a mixture of REE (REE mix), were tested by measuring the effects on gas exchange and chlorophyll relative index in common bean.