Potato peel alleviation of the negative effects of salinity in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Valentine’)

Abstract

Soil salinity is a serious problem that negatively affects the productivity of plants. Reducing the impact of salinity to sustain production is a goal of scientists. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of potato peel amendments at different rates in reducing the negative impact of saline water. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Valentine’) was grown in soil mixed with potato peel at different rates (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%). To achieve this objective, plants were irrigated with three levels of saline water (0, 50, and 100 mmol L−1) to induce stress at the vegetative stage. The results demonstrated the significant reduction in physiological parameters, plant growth, and yield of common bean after irrigation with saline water. Soil amendment with different rates of potato peel significantly increased the number of pods per plant, weight of pods per plant, pod length, chlorophyll content, and relative water content of common bean irrigated with saline water (50 mmol L−1) as compared with non-amended soil. Potato peel application also reduced electrolyte leakage and improved soil properties by reducing the salinity of the soil. Furthermore, among all potato peel rates used in this investigation, the 7.5% rate had a better result for common bean production. Conversely, potato peel did not improve the yield of beans grown under a high concentration of saline water (100 mmol L−1). In conclusion, soil amendments with potato peel at a 7.5% rate could be successfully used as a cost effective management practice to enhance bean production in soils stressed with high salt content.