Agronomic efficiency for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in bean cultivars / Eficiência agronômica para nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio em cultivares de feijão

The aim of this study was to identify and categorize new bean cultivars regarding their efficiency and responsiveness to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, both individually and simultaneously, as well as to stipulate the cultivars that would suit each niche market based on this classification. Three experiments were conducted in the field separated by nutrients adopting the randomized block design in a factorial scheme (11 x 4) of 11 cultivars in four doses with three replications. Grain yield was the variable investigated and the means were the basis for the classification separated by in four availabilities: low, partial, adequate dose, and nutritional excess. Genetic variability was observed among the bean cultivars for efficiency and responsiveness (agronomic efficiency) to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The following cultivars: BRS Agreste, BRS Estilo, BRS Notável, and Pérola revealed the greatest values of efficiency and responsive ratings for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with indications for low and high technological levels. On the contrary, the cultivars BRS Ametista and BRS Sublime based on the efficiency and non-responsive classification showed a low ability to acquire or utilize the nutrients for grain formation. The BRS Pontal cultivar for all three nutrients displayed a high degree of efficiency with a value exceeding the average under different conditions of stress, suggesting that a more rustic cultivar best suits the market niche of small farmers.

O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar e classificar novas cultivares de feijoeiro quanto a eficiência e responsividade ao nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio, de forma individual e simultânea, além de indicar as cultivares para cada nicho de mercado, de acordo com essa classificação. Foram realizados três experimentos em campo, separados por nutriente, com delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial (11 x 4), sendo 11 cultivares em quatro doses, com três repetições. A variável analisada foi a produtividade de grãos e as médias utilizadas para a classificação, separando-se por nutriente, em quatro disponibilidades, sendo baixo, parcial, dose adequada e excesso nutricional. Existe variabilidade genética para eficiência e responsividade (eficiência agronômica) entre os cultivares de feijão, para nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio. As cultivares BRS Agreste, BRS Estilo, BRS Notável e a Pérola são as que possuem maior número de classificações eficientes e responsivas para nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio, sendo indicadas para baixo e alto nível tecnológico. Em sentido oposto, as cultivares BRS Ametista e a BRS Sublime com classificação ineficiente e não-responsiva, com baixa capacidade de adquirir ou utilizar os nutrientes para a formação de grãos. A cultivar BRS Pontal para nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio, apresenta uma eficiência alta ou acima da média sob os diferentes estresses, o que indica que é uma cultivar mais rústica e que atende o nicho de mercado de pequenos produtores.

Iron absorption from beans with different contents of iron, evaluated by stable isotopes.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of biofortified foods such as beans with higher iron content may be a useful tool in preventing iron deficiency. The biofortification aims to reach the root of the problem of malnutrition, targets the neediest population, uses embedded distribution mechanisms, is scientifically feasible and effective in terms of cost, and complements other ongoing interventions to control micronutrient deficiency. However, to ensure effectiveness, measurement of the absorption of minerals is essential. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the iron bioavailability of common bean BRS Pontal (PO), targeted for biofortification, compared with common bean BRS Estilo in man through reliable techniques that have not been previously used in Brazil. METHODS: The study included 29 young adult volunteers divided into 2 groups: Group CB (13 subjects) received 100 g of common beans (BRS-Estilo) cooked labeled with iron-58 (58Fe) and Group TBB (16 patients) received 100 g common bean target for iron biofortification (BRS-Pontal), cooked and labeled with iron58 (58Fe). The next day they received the reference dose of ferrous sulfate enriched iron-57 (57Fe). Isotopic evaluation of iron for measurement of iron incorporation into erythrocytes was performed 14 days after consumption. The beans used, were produced, through conventional breeding program, by EMBRAPA/Rice and Beans. RESULTS: The iron absorption was evaluated by assessing the isotopic enrichment of the stable isotope. Mean iron absorption from the meal with common beans was 0.409% (±0.040%) and mean iron incorporation from the meal with target beans for biofortification 0.407% (±0.038%) and did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study tested the iron absorption from a single bean meal in healthy volunteers or non anemics, In the present study the iron absorption ratio from common bean Pontal (PO), targeted for biofortification and compared with common bean BRS Estilo was not significantly different. The iron concentration of the TBB, probably was not sufficient to improve higher bioavailability. It is recommended to evaluate the not only the absorption of iron in cultivars that present a higher difference in iron concentration but also in association with other components of the Brazilian diet, such as rice and beans.