Aiming to improve the technology of producing seed with high Mo content, the effects of 600 g ha-1 of foliar-applied Mo on common bean seed quality were evaluated. In the field, this Mo rate was applied at the V4 growth stage (third trifoliolate leave) or divided into two or four rates applied at V4, R6 (flowering), R7 and/or R8 (pod filling). Mo (300 g ha-1) applied at R6 did not affect seed quality relative to control (90 g ha-1 of Mo applied at V4). In the three treatments in which 200, 255 or 300 g ha-1 of Mo were applied at R7, only in one (255 g ha-1) Mo decreased seed germination and vigor relative to control. When 200, 255 or 300 g ha-1 of Mo were applied at R8 (five treatments), in general, Mo decreased seed germination and, in two cases, also seed vigor relative to control. It was concluded that 255 g ha-1 of Mo applied at R7 and, especially, doses of 200 g ha-1 of Mo or higher applied at R8 can reduce common bean seed quality.
Phaseolus vulgaris; molybdenum in seed; germination; seed vigor
