Effects of drought stress and foliar application of zinc and manganese on seed quality of red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during the accelerated aging test

The objective of the present study was to assess the combined effects of drought stress and foliar application of zinc and manganese on seed quality of red bean (Naz variety) during the accelerated aging test. The experiment was carried out as split factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of Shahrekord University during 2010-2011. Drought stress levels (irrigation after 50، 70 and 90 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan) was used as the main plot factor، while factorial combination of zinc and manganese foliar application (0، 100، 200 and 0، 150، 300 g. ha-1 for zinc and manganese، respectively) were used as sub-plots. After harvesting the seeds and preparation of composite samples، seeds were evaluated through the accelerated aging tests with four replications. The results showed that drought stress didn’t have any significant effect on germination indices. Mn foliar application increased germination rate، seedling dry weight and vigor indices (I and II). In between، Mn foliar application at the rate of 150 g. ha-1 had the maximum effect on germination indices. Between Zn foliar application levels، maximum seedling length، dry weight and vigor indices (I and II) were obtained for application of 100 g Zn per hectare. Based on the results of this study، drought stress with application of low concentration of Zn and Mn improves seed quality during the accelerated aging test as well as the seed storage capabilities.