Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Guguli Dumbadze; Davit Baratashvili; Lali Jgenti; Nelson Wafula; Nunu Chaghkhiani-anasashvili; Roza Lortkipanidze

doi:10.18393/ejss.1789497

Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Sustainable production of legumes in sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly threatened by soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and climate variability, underscoring the need for eco-friendly inputs that enhance productivity while supporting soil health. French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a short-cycle and high-value crop, is particularly sensitive to these constraints and thus provides an ideal model for evaluating bio-organic solutions. This study assessed the agronomic performance and ecological safety of Bonliga, a Georgian-developed microbiological biostimulant containing 10% organic matter, 1.2% nitrogen, 5% potassium, 5% calcium, and a microbial consortium including Bacillus spp., Azotobacter chroococcum, Cellulomonas uda, and Bacillus megaterium, all known for roles in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and soil organic matter decomposition. Multi-location field trials were conducted in four Kenyan agro-ecological zones (Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Murang’a), where B Bonliga was applied at 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 L ha⁻¹, alongside a commercial seaweed-based biostimulant and an untreated control. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used, and growth traits (plant height, leaf number, canopy spread), yield parameters (pod length, pod number, pod weight, and marketable yield), phytotoxicity, and soil fertility dynamics were evaluated. Results demonstrated that Bonliga significantly improved plant growth and pod yield across all sites, with the 2.5 L ha⁻¹ dose achieving the best balance between productivity and input efficiency. Pod yields were consistently higher than both the control and the reference product, while no phytotoxic effects were observed. Post-harvest soil analyses further revealed improvements in organic matter, total organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient availability, indicating Bonliga’s dual role as a crop growth promoter and soil conditioner. These findings confirm Bonliga as a safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient bio-organic input with strong potential for integration into smallholder horticultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Guguli Dumbadze ^*
0000-0003-3100-0479
Georgia

Davit Baratashvili This is me
0000-0003-4912-4330
Georgia

Lali Jgenti This is me
0000-0003-4419-4698
Georgia

Nelson Wafula This is me
0009-0008-7741-3555
Kenya

Nunu Chaghkhiani-anasashvili This is me
0000-0003-0232-0692
Georgia

Roza Lortkipanidze This is me
0009-0003-0690-3120
Georgia

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

January 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1789497

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA28NS26DS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Dumbadze, G., Baratashvili, D., Jgenti, L., Wafula, N., Chaghkhiani-anasashvili, N., & Lortkipanidze, R. (2025). Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 14(4), 407-416. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1789497

AMA

1.Dumbadze G, Baratashvili D, Jgenti L, Wafula N, Chaghkhiani-anasashvili N, Lortkipanidze R. Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). EJSS. 2025;14(4):407-416. doi:10.18393/ejss.1789497

Chicago

Dumbadze, Guguli, Davit Baratashvili, Lali Jgenti, Nelson Wafula, Nunu Chaghkhiani-anasashvili, and Roza Lortkipanidze. 2025. “Ecological and Agronomic Effects of a Microbiological Biostimulant on Growth, Yield, and Soil Fertility in French Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14 (4): 407-16. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1789497.

EndNote

Dumbadze G, Baratashvili D, Jgenti L, Wafula N, Chaghkhiani-anasashvili N, Lortkipanidze R (October 1, 2025) Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14 4 407–416.

IEEE

[1]G. Dumbadze, D. Baratashvili, L. Jgenti, N. Wafula, N. Chaghkhiani-anasashvili, and R. Lortkipanidze, “Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)”, EJSS, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 407–416, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1789497.

ISNAD

Dumbadze, Guguli - Baratashvili, Davit - Jgenti, Lali - Wafula, Nelson - Chaghkhiani-anasashvili, Nunu - Lortkipanidze, Roza. “Ecological and Agronomic Effects of a Microbiological Biostimulant on Growth, Yield, and Soil Fertility in French Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14/4 (October 1, 2025): 407-416. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1789497.

JAMA

1.Dumbadze G, Baratashvili D, Jgenti L, Wafula N, Chaghkhiani-anasashvili N, Lortkipanidze R. Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). EJSS. 2025;14:407–416.

MLA

Dumbadze, Guguli, et al. “Ecological and Agronomic Effects of a Microbiological Biostimulant on Growth, Yield, and Soil Fertility in French Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 14, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 407-16, doi:10.18393/ejss.1789497.

Vancouver

1.Guguli Dumbadze, Davit Baratashvili, Lali Jgenti, Nelson Wafula, Nunu Chaghkhiani-anasashvili, Roza Lortkipanidze. Ecological and agronomic effects of a microbiological biostimulant on growth, yield, and soil fertility in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). EJSS. 2025 Oct. 1;14(4):407-16. doi:10.18393/ejss.1789497