Cobalt in the emergence and initial growth of maize (Zea mays L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.)

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the effect of cobalt on the emergence and early growth of maize (Zea mays L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.) seedlings.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The effect of cobalt was independently assessed for each plant species. Seeds of maize hybrid H-52, Pinto Saltillo bean, and husk tomato variety Selecto were sown in 15 × 15 cm plastic containers filled with a 70:30 (w/w) peat-to-perlite substrate. Cobalt concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 6 mM were applied via irrigation over a 35-day period. Each container represented one experimental unit, with four replicates per treatment. Beginning six days after sowing (DAS), emergence percentage was recorded. At 35 DAS, the following growth parameters were measured: seedling height, number of leaves, stem diameter, root length, number of roots, root volume, shoot fresh biomass, and root fresh biomass.

Limitations/Implications: Sensitivity to cobalt varied among the evaluated species.

Findings/Conclusions: Cobalt application reduced seedling height and root length in both bean and husk tomato, while these parameters remained unaffected in maize. Overall, cobalt inhibited the growth of all three species, with maize seedlings displaying the lowest sensitivity, followed by beans and husk tomatoes.