Report on the Influence of Homeopathic/Nosode Foliar Applications on <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> (L.): Agronomic and Phytochemical Changes and Control of <i>Zabrotes subfasciatus</i> (Boh.) and <i>Diabrotica balteata</i> (LeConte)

Abstract

Nosodes are solutions prepared from pests, capable of controlling those same pests in crops. The use of these solutions in agriculture is an emerging technology for producing eco-friendly and inexpensive plant-based foods free from toxic compounds. The effects of applying nosodes to bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crops before and after harvest were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in the field, with nosode 200CH applied once, three times, biweekly, and weekly from the flowering stage of the “Delgado” bean plant. The application of nosodes resulted in a 108% higher yield, 26% greater biomass, a 32% increase in root length, 34% more pods, and up to a 227% decrease in damaged pods compared to untreated plants. Furthermore, compared to the untreated plants, treated plants exhibited a 37% higher membrane stability and a phenolic content that was up to 27% higher in seeds and 22% higher in leaves. Plants under conventional management showed 61% less Diabrotica balteata (LeConte) incidence than nosode-treated ones. Seeds treated with nosodes exhibited a mortality in Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh.) of up to 80%. This study highlights the use of nosodes in bean cultivation as an agronomic strategy to enhance seed production and quality, aiding producers in informed decision making about their application.

Keywords

• agro-homeopathy
• post-harvest
• seeds
• yield
• membrane permeability
• phenolic compounds