Influence of compost tea on seedling growth and germination indices of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in order to moderated negative effects caused by drought stress

The rapid germination of seeds is one of the factors that determine yield and final product plants. For this purpose, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of compost tea on seedling growth and germination indices of bean under drought stress. A factorial experiment done based on completely randomized design with 3 replications. Treatments consisted of compost tea in five levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% v/v) and drought stress in four levels (0, -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MP). The results showed that 5, 7.5 and 10% levels of compost tea led to a significant increase germination percent, germination vigor, seed vigor index and plumule dry weigh. Drought stress at all levels compared to non-stress conditions, led to a significant reduction in studied traits. Under -0.3 MPa, 5, 7.5 and 10% compost tea levels significantly increased germination rate, seedling length, radical dry weight and under -0.9 MPa, all levels of compost tea compared to control significantly increased the germination rate, plumule and seedling length. Under non-stress and -0.3 MPa, 10% compost tea treatments led to a significant increase germination rate (+9.4%, +10.1%) radical dry weight (+18.7%, +19.7%), plumule length (+10.7%, +9%), radical length (+6.6%, +8.6%) and seedling length (+8.4%, +7.9%). According to the results of this study, the use of compost tea in the seed germination of beans is recommended for reduce the negative effects of drought stress.