Effect of foliar application of a nitrophenolate-based biostimulant on the yield and quality of two bean cultivars

The use of Atonik, a synthetic biostimulant, to improve the yield and quality of red and white bean was studied. The 0.1% and 0.3% solutions of Atonik biostimulant were applied by a single and double spraying of plants. The yield of the investigated common beans increased after Atonik treatment with the highest impact recorded upon the double spraying with the 0.3% solution. The studied treatments had no significant effect on phenolics content; however, some differences were found in the antioxidant potential. The applied biostimulant had no significant effect on the reducing power either. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity was noted only for Aura bean; however it remained unchanged upon the biostimulant treatment. All the analyzed types of application had no significant effect on starch and protein contents; however, a slight, insignificant decrease was observed in starch content in Aura cultivar. An insignificant decrease of globulins in beans obtained from plants double-sprayed with 0.1% Atonik should also be noted. Most importantly, the studied treatment did not enhance the activity of or-amylase and trypsin inhibitors. In summary, results of the study demonstrate that Atonik effectively improves the yield and nutraceutical potential of beans without any negative effects on their nutritional quality. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.