Effect of endophytic fungi on the growth and development of fodder beans (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

   The results of studying the effect of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium robertsii and Beauvéria bassiana on the growth and development of fodder beans of the Siberian variety are presented. The studies were conducted in 2019, 2020. Presowing treatment of fodder beans (Vicia faba L.) seeds with endophytic fungi M. robertsii and B. bassiana with subsequent cultivation in the field conditions contributed to the acceleration of the growth processes, the formation of a greater biological mass and an increase in the yield. The efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi M. robertsii and B. bassiana was evaluated in a field experiment in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia on leached chernozem. The use of M. robertsii on fodder beans significantly increased grain yield by 2.0-4.2 c/ha (Man-W, p = 0.01565), the plant height by 6-16 cm, as well as foliage and weight of 1000 grains. The use of B. bassiana did not result in an increase in yield. A significant increase in the number of active nodules on the roots of fodder bean plants where M. robertsii treatment was applied was observed. During the flowering phase, significant differences between the control and the variant with B. bassiana application were noted (Fisher, p = 0.000085). Treatment of bean seeds with entomopathogenic fungi M. robertsii and B. bassiána before sowing can increase crop yield and stimulate growth processes. In the future, this technique can be used in agricultural practice on other legume crops. The present work is the first study of the effect of entomopathogenic fungi on fodder beans when grown in the continental climate of Western Siberia.