The use of biostimulants in hydroponic bean cultivation

This study investigates the effects of biostimulant applications on bean plants grown in a hydroponic system under greenhouse conditions, with the aim of mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural production and contributing to sustainable food systems. Three biostimulants bacteria (PGPR), chitosan, and vermicompost were applied both via root and foliar treatments, and their effects on plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient content were thoroughly analyzed. The results showed that chitosan application led to the highest increase in yield (60.5%), number of fruits (60.3%), and fruit flesh thickness. Bacterial treatment stood out for its positive effects on parameters such as shoot biomass, fruit weight, and root dry matter, and significantly enhanced the uptake of key macronutrients including potassium and calcium. Vermicompost resulted in the highest values for phenolic content, vitamin C and fruit width. Overall, all biostimulant applications provided statistically significant improvements in growth, yield, and quality parameters compared to the control. In conclusion, biostimulant applications particularly chitosan and bacteria emerge as effective strategies to support environmentally friendly, productive, and high-quality bean cultivation in hydroponic systems by reducing the need for chemical inputs. This study underscores the potential of biostimulants in soilless agriculture and provides a scientific basis for sustainable crop production. Based on the findings, chitosan is recommended as the most effective biostimulant for enhancing yield and quality, whilebacterial applications may be considered a secondary option due to their beneficial effects on vegetative growth and nutrient uptake. Keywords: Hydroponics, Biostimulant, Phaseolus vulgaris, Bacteria, Chitosan, Vermicompost