Organic Fertilizers and Bioinoculants as Growth Promoters in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the combined application of organic fertilizers and bioinoculants on the growth and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as a sustainable alternative to intensive chemical fertilization. Design/methodology/approach: Four organic fertilizers were prepared, namely amino acids, vermicompost leachate, Bokashi, and Supermagro, and microbial inoculants of Bacillus spp. (B6, B14, B17, B18, and B21) and Trichoderma spp. (TB, TF, TJ3, TJ7, and TM) were used. Through two greenhouse experiments established under a completely randomized design, the most effective treatments were selected based on morphometric variables, identifying Bokashi, Supermagro, B14 (Bacillus cereus), and TF (Trichoderma virens) as the most promising. These treatments were subsequently evaluated under field conditions using a factorial randomized complete block design. Results: In the field experiment, the TF + Bokashi combination (T4) exhibited the highest values for number of seeds per square meter (838.86), aboveground foliar biomass (4.67 t ha⁻¹), and seed yield (3.23 t ha⁻¹), surpassing the other treatments. Significant differences were observed relative to the B14 + Bokashi and B14 + Supermagro combinations, as well as the negative control (without bioinoculant or organic fertilizer) (p ≤ 0.05). Limitations on study/implications: None. Findings/conclusions: The combined application of organic fertilizers and bioinoculants improved the growth and yield of common bean, particularly under the TF + Bokashi combination. These findings demonstrate that this strategy constitutes a viable and sustainable alternative for enhancing crop productivity and reducing reliance on conventional fertilization in Sinaloa.