Photosynthetica 2025,63(4):340-345 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.036

Increase in photosynthetic carbon assimilation and gas exchange through foliar application of melatonin in green bean plants

C.A. RAMÍREZ-ESTRADA1, E.H. OCHOA-CHAPARRO1, E. NAVARRO-LEÓN2, J.C. ANCHONDO-PAÉZ1, J.J. PATIÑO-CRUZ1, C.L. FRANCO-LAGOS1, A. ALVAREZ-MONGE1, E. SÁNCHEZ1
1 Food and Development Research Center, A.C. Avenida Cuarta Sur No. 3820, Fraccionamiento Vencedores del Desierto 33089, Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico
2 Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

Crop productivity depends largely on photosynthetic efficiency, which is key to converting light energy into assimilates for biomass accumulation. The use of biostimulants such as melatonin (MEL) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to improve internal processes in plants and increase production. However, its effect on beans has not yet been clearly described. This study evaluated the foliar application of MEL on physiological and productive variables of Strike beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The plants were grown in vermiculite/perlite substrate (2:1) for 60 d, applying MEL [0, 1, 10, and 100 µM] weekly from 15 d after sowing. All three doses increased biomass and yield; treatment with 100 µM increased biomass by 64.9%, and 1 µM increased yield by 223.7%. Photosynthetic rate and transpiration also improved, with 10 µM being the most effective dose. Finally, sucrose concentration increased by up to 81%. Therefore, the results show MEL as a potential biostimulant for Strike bean production.

Additional key words: biomass; biostimulant; carboxylation; melatonin; Phaseolus vulgaris; photosynthetic rate.

Received: September 18, 2025; Revised: November 3, 2025; Accepted: December 4, 2025; Prepublished online: December 15, 2025; Published: December 31, 2025  Show citation

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RAMÍREZ-ESTRADA, C.A., OCHOA-CHAPARRO, E.H., NAVARRO-LEÓN, E., ANCHONDO-PAÉZ, J.C., PATIÑO-CRUZ, J.J., FRANCO-LAGOS, C.L., ALVAREZ-MONGE, A., & SÁNCHEZ, E. (2025). Increase in photosynthetic carbon assimilation and gas exchange through foliar application of melatonin in green bean plants. Photosynthetica, 63(4), 340-345. doi: 10.32615/ps.2025.036
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