Influences of Ridge Width and Foliar Spraying of Amino Acids Compounds on Yield and Quality of Two Faba Bean Cultivars

A two-year study was carried out at the Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons to evaluate seed yield and quality of two faba bean cultivars to different rates of amino acids compounds under narrow and wide ridges. Two faba bean cultivars Sakha 1 and Masr 3 were grown in two ridge widths 60 and 120 cm and received five rates of amino acids compounds (Power mix at rates 1.5 cm⋅L−1 “Pm1” and 3.0 cm⋅L−1 “Pm2”, Super mix at rates of 3.5 cm⋅L−1 “Sm1” and 7.0 cm⋅L−1 “Sm2”, as well as, water only “control treatment”). The treatments laid out in a split split plot distribution in randomized complete blocks design in three replications were used. Ridge width was randomly assigned to the main plots, faba bean cultivars were allocated in sub-plots and amino acids compounds were allocated in sub sub-plots. Shoot chemical composition and photosynthesis pigments, as well as, chemical composition in seed traits of faba bean were tested in the laboratories of Plant Physiology Section, Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Wide ridge had higher nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean shoot and seeds in addition to chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) in faba bean shoot, as well as, most seed yield attributes than those of the narrow one. Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 had higher values of seed yield, yield attributes and quality than Masr 3 that achieved higher seed antioxidants. Also, amino acids compounds affected significantly all studied traits of faba bean plants. Pm2 recorded the highest values of chemical composition in faba bean shoot and seeds. Moreover, Pm2 gave the highest seed yield and yield attributes compared to others. The interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivar was significant for total sugars and carotenoids concentrations in faba bean shoot and 100-seed weight, as well as, seed N content. Also, the interaction between ridge width and amino acids compound had significant effects on shoot and seed N, P, K concentrations, number of pods plant−1 and seed yield ha−1, as well as, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations. Moreover, the interaction between faba bean cultivar and amino acids compound had significant effects on shoot Chl a and b concentrations, number of seeds pod−1 and seed yield plant−1, as well as, seed N, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations. Wide ridge x faba bean cultivar x amino acids compound interaction had significant effects on photosynthesis pigments, number of seeds pod−1 and seed yield ha−1, as well as, seed N, total sugars, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations. High seed yield and quality were recorded by growing faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 in wide ridge with foliar spraying at rate of 3.0 cm⋅L−1 of power mix. On the other hand, growing faba bean cultivar Masr 3 in narrow ridge with foliar spraying at rate of 3.5 cm⋅L−1 of super mix had good antioxidants in faba bean seeds.

H. F. Y. Mohamed et al. Concerning to the advantageous belongings foliar spraying of amino acids, foliar spraying treatment of plants with naturally occurring compounds in plant cells is an easy technique and an alternative approach used to reduce mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers uses. Improving the content of limiting amino acids by breeding seems very difficult since a strong correlation coefficient exists between protein content and the content of individual amino acids [9]. Amino acids contain both acid and basic groups and act as buffers, which help to maintain favorable pH value within the plant cell [10] and thereby impact plant growth and serve to explain how organic matter promotes soil productivity [11]. According to Rai [12], amino acids are considered as precursors and constituents of proteins. They are participatory in the compilation of other organic compounds, such as amines, alkaloids, vitamins, enzymes and protein [13]. The valuable effects of amino acids improved growth and yield for some legume crops [14] [15] and [16]. Moreover, Zewail [17] demonstrated that foliar application with amino acids at 4 ml·L −1 increased dry weight of shoots and specific growth rate of common bean plant.
A wide variety of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, terpenoids and polyphenols contribute to the antioxidant capacity of plant foods [18], where these antioxidants able to protect against reactive oxygen species, which are responsible for reactions underlying many serious diseases [19]. The differences in the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity between faba bean cultivars were observed by Chaieb et al. [20]. Also, phenolic compounds are one of the micro-constituents which have been gaining an increasing interest for their health promoting properties, largely defined by their antioxidant activity [21], but little is known about the antioxidants present in Egyptian faba bean cultivars. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate seed yield and quality of two faba bean cultivars to different rates of amino acids compounds under narrow and wide ridges. and K (239). The procedure of soil analysis followed the methods of Black [22].

Materials and Methods
Furrow irrigation was the system irrigation in the region. Maize was the preceding summer crop in both seasons. The substances and the rate of spraying are illustrated in Table 1.  before the second irrigation. At 60 days from planting, one of the two power mix treatments received 1.5 cm·L −1 (Pm 2 ), meanwhile one of two super mix treatments received 3.5 cm·L −1 (Sm 2 ) before the third irrigation.
The treatments were laid out in a split split plot distribution in randomized complete blocks design in three replications was used. Ridge width treatments were randomly assigned to the main plots, faba bean cultivars were allocated in sub plots and amino acids compounds were allocated in sub sub plots.
2) Chemical composition These analyses were done in fresh leaves of faba bean shoot at 75 days from planting and also in faba bean seeds at harvest.
Mineral element concentration: Determinations of total N, P and K were carried out on the plant leaves were dried at 70˚C for 48 hr and the wet digestion of 0.2 g fine powder of dry material were done with sulphoric and perchloric acids as described by Piper [24]. N was determined by using the modified "Micro Kjeldahl" apparatus of Parnas and Wagner as described by Pregl [25]. P was determined spectrophotometerically by using stannous chloride method according to A.O.A.C. [26]. K was measured by flame photometer according to the method described by Brown and Lilliland [27]. Ethanol extract: Ethanol extract of leaves was used for the determination of total sugars, and total soluble phenols and total free amino acids. For preparation of ethanol extract, 0.5 g of dry materials were adding about 25 ml of 95% ethanol for about 10 min., then filtrated through a sintered glass funnel (G3). The residue was re-extracted and filtered twice with ethanol (80%), and then the volume was adjusted to 25 ml with ethanol (80%).
Total sugars concentration: In ethanol extract, determination of total sugars concentrations were carried out by using the total sugars in was determined by phosphomolybdic acid method according to A.O.A.C. [26].
Total soluble phenols concentration: In ethanol extract, total soluble phenols concentration was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent according to Swain and Hillis [28].
Total free amino acids concentration: In ethanol extract, total free amino acids concentration was determined by using ninhydrin reagent according to Moore and Stein [29].
3) Seed yield and its attributes At harvest, a random sample of five plants was taken from each sub sub-plot to measure the following traits: Plant height (cm), numbers of branches and pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight (g) and seed yield per plant (g). Seed yield per ha (ton) was calculated from harvesting and threshing the inner three ridges of each sub sub-plot then converted to ton per ha.

Statistical Analysis
Analysis of variance of the obtained results of each season was performed. The homogeneity test was conducted of error mean squares and accordingly, the combined analysis of the two experimental seasons was also carried out. The measured variables were analyzed by ANOVA using MSTATC statistical package [30]. Mean comparisons were performed using the east significant differences (L.S.D) test with a significance level of 5% [31].

Results and Discussion
A. Chemical composition and photosynthesis pigments in faba bean shoot 1) Ridge width Significant effects of ridge width on all the studied chemical composition and photosynthesis pigments traits in faba bean shoot were observed in the combined data across the two seasons ( Table 2). Faba bean plants of wide ridge had higher shoot N, P, K, total sugars, Chl a and b, as well as, total free amino acids concentrations than those of the narrow one. However, high total soluble phenols and carotenoids concentrations in faba bean shoot were observed when grown in the narrow one.
These results could be attributed to wide ridge furnished suitable basic growth resources for faba bean growth and development more than the narrow one. Particularly light is one of the most important environmental factors because it regulates photosynthetic assimilation and partitioning in plants [32]. Naturally, different tissues of faba bean leaves need different requirements of essential nutrients for satisfactory their growth.
With respect to faba plants of the narrow ridge; it is likely that intra-specific competition between them was increased for basic growth resources more than those of the other one which reflected negatively on a decrease in photosynthesis and transpiration rates. Certainly, Chl content indicates indirectly the nutritional status of plants since much of leaf N is incorporated in Chl [33]. Consequently, it is possible to suggest that total soluble phenols and carotenoids activity in faba bean shoot were due to higher concentration of the phenolic compound and total yellow pigments against assimilates translocated into different tissues of faba bean leaves than those of the wide one.
Accordingly, it is expected that that increase of the studied chemical composition (except total soluble phenols) and Chl a and b in faba bean shoot accompanied with reduced RNase and protease activity, especially polyphenols were bonded with other organic substances such as carbohydrate or protein [34].
2) Faba bean cultivars Faba bean cultivars were differed significantly for all the studied chemical composition and photosynthesis pigments traits in faba bean shoot except shoot Chl a and b and total free amino acids concentrations in the combined data across the two seasons (

Ridge width Faba bean cultivars
Shoot K concentration (mg g −1 ) Shoot total sugars concentration (mg g −1 ) Pm        It is expected that genetic makeup of faba bean cultivar Masr 3 had some biochemical aspects that restricted enzymatic oxidative cleavage which reflected on total soluble phenols and carotenoids concentrations in faba bean shoot.

3) Amino acids compounds
Amino acids compounds affected significantly all the studied chemical traits in faba bean shoot in the combined data across the two seasons (Table 2). Control and Pm 2 had higher shoot N, P, K, total sugars, Chl a and b, as well as, total free amino acids concentrations than those of the others without significant differences between them. Also, there were no significant differences between Pm 1 and Pm 2 for shoot P and total free amino acids concentrations. In other words, increasing rate of Pm from 1.5 to 3.0 cm·L −1 did not increase P and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean shoot. Moreover, there were no significant differences between Pm 1 and Sm 1 on shoot P, total sugars and total soluble phenols, Chl b, carotenoids and total free amino acids concentrations. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between Sm 1 and control there were no significant differences between Sm 1 and Sm 2 on shoot Chl a and total free amino acids concentrations. In other words, increasing rate of Sm from 3.5 to 7.0 cm·L −1 did not increase Chl a and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean shoot. These results may be due the tested amino acids compounds were differed in their rates and composition (Table 1). It is likely that rate and composition of Pm 2 which included some plant growth regulators caused rapid cell division that elongated faba bean internodes [35] by promoting roots and stem length in the plant through gibberellic acid [36], then roots grew deeper into the soil profile to extract water and soil nutrients (N, P and K) which reflected on shoot length. This biological situation could be enhanced by K citrate and micro-elements by stimulated different physiological activities.
Consequently, it is expected that foliar spraying of Pm 2 lengthened the vegetative stage and thereby there was an increase in photosynthesis pigments (Chl a and b contents) and finally more enhance in protein synthesis. According to Fletcher et al. [37], the increase in cytokinin levels was associated with stimulated chlorophyll biosynthesis. These results are in parallel with those obtained by Ali [38] who reported that foliar application of 1% K and 1% P produced highest values of Chl a, b and a + b as compared with untreated faba bean plants.
Also, El-Ghamry et al. [39] found that Chl a and b contents were increased significantly by amino acids compounds. Moreover, Abou EL-Yazied and Mady [40] indicated that foliar spraying with boron at 50 cm·L −1 increased photosynthetic pigments.
On the other hand, Sm 1 had the highest shoot total soluble phenols and carotenoids concentrations compared with those of other rates. These results could be due to Sm 1 that included magnesium (Mg) activated antioxidative defense enzymes in some plant species [41]. Consequently, it is possible to suggest that this biological situation reflected positively on Mg availability in different tissues of faba bean plants that promoted plant growth and increased total soluble phenols concentration in faba bean shoot. It is known that Mg in shoots declined quickly within one day after the removal of Mg [42] suggesting that shoot and leaf are secondary response organs following changes in Mg level. It is an important to mention that decreasing rate of Sm from 7.0 to 3.5 cm·L −1 could be led to negative effects on translocation rate of sucrose from leaves to phloem which reflected positively on N, P, K and total sugars concentrations in faba bean shoot.

4) Interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars
Data in Table 2 show interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars  [43]. These results reveal that ridge width responded differently to amino acids compounds for N, P and K concentrations in faba bean shoot.

6) Interaction between faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds
Data in Table 2           These results may be due to faba bean plants that grown in wide ridge benefited greatly from environmental basic resources that reflected positively on their efficiency in photosynthetic process more than those of narrow one.

2) Faba bean cultivars
Faba bean cultivars were differed significantly for all the studied traits in the combined data across the two seasons (Table 3). Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 had higher plant height, numbers of branches and pods plant −1 , pod length, number of seeds pod −1 , 100-seed weight, seed yields plant −1 and ha −1 than those of the other cultivar. These variations between the tested two cultivars probably due to genetic makeup of each cultivar translated into suitable some morphological and physiological characteristics which responded differently to environmental conditions. Similar results were reported by Mohamed and El-Abbas [45], Bakry et al. [46] and Safina [8] who reported there were significant differences among faba bean cultivars in seed yield and yield attributes traits.

3) Amino acids compounds
Amino acids compounds affected significantly all the studied traits in the combined data across the two seasons (Table 3). These results reveal that con- These results may be due to Pm 2 is compound that have high rate of amino acids, riboflavin, cytokinines, gibberellic acid, K citrate and micro-elements led to an increase in dry matter accumulation during growth and development. Particularly, boron as microelement plays a key role in higher plants by facilitating the short-and long-distance transport of sugar via the formation of borate-sugar complexes [47]. It is known that boron deficiency in crops is more widespread than the deficiency of any other micronutrients [48]. Also, zinc is a micronutrient  has increased in recent years [49]. In this concern, Mady [50] showed that many growth faba bean traits as number of leaves plant −1 , dry weights of stems and leaves plant −1 , as well as, total leaf area were enhanced by foliar application of zinc. Moreover, Al-Whaibi et al. [51] found that seed yield attributes were increased by gibberellic acid application.
With respect to Sm, number of branches plant −1 , pod length, number of seeds pod −1 , seed yields plant −1 and ha −1 were increased by increasing rate of Sm from 3.5 to 7.0 cm·L −1 . These results could be attributed to increase in rate of Sm from 3.5 to 7.0 cm·L −1 increased translocation rate of sucrose from leaves to phloem which reflected positively carbohydrate accumulation in the attributes of seed yield where Cakmak et al. [52] showed that Mg deficiency restricted the carbon flow to the sink organs and caused carbohydrate accumulation in the source leaves.

4) Interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars
Data in Table 3 show interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars affected significantly 100-seed weight in the combined data across the two seasons. Growing faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 in the wide ridge had the highest 100-seed weight compared to the others. It seems that faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 interacted positively with wide ridge to furnish better translocation of available assimilates from source to sink during reproductive stage of faba bean compared with the others. These results show that each of these two factors act dependently on 100-seed weight.

5) Interaction between ridge width and amino acids compounds
Data in Table 3 show interaction between ridge width and amino acids compounds affected significantly number of pods plant −1 and seed yield ha −1 in the combined data across the two seasons. Growing faba bean plants in the wide ridge that received Pm 2 had the highest number of pods plant −1 and seed yield ha −1 compared with the others. These results reveal that ridge width responded differently to amino acids compounds for number of pods plant −1 and seed yield ha −1 .

6) Interaction between faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds
Data in Table 3 show interaction between faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds affected significantly number of seeds pod −1 and seed yield plant −1 in the combined data across the two seasons. Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 that received Pm 2 had the highest number of seeds pod −1 and seed yield plant −1 compared with the others. These results show that each of these two factors act dependently on number of seeds pod −1 and seed yield plant −1 .

7)
Interaction among ridge width, faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds Data in Table 3 (Table 4). Faba bean plants of the wide ridge had higher seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations than those of the narrow one; meanwhile the reverse was true for seed total soluble phenols concentration. The wide ridge increased seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations by 10.96%, 37.44%, 9.60%, 13.71% and 32.67% than those of the narrow one. Conversely, the wide ridge decreased seed total soluble phenols concentration by 31.62% than the other one. These results may be due to faba bean plants of wide ridge decreased intra-specific competition between them for basic growth resources which activated enzyme polyphenol oxidase and led to degradation and consequent losses of total soluble phenols in faba bean seeds.

2) Faba bean cultivars
Faba bean cultivars were differed significantly for all the studied chemical composition in faba bean seeds traits in the combined data across the two seasons (Table 3). Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 had higher seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations than those of other one; meanwhile the reverse was true for seed total soluble phenols concentration. Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 recorded higher seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations by 11.48%, 22.81%, 14.07% and 8.44%, respectively, more than faba bean cultivar Masr 3. With respect to seed total soluble phenols concentration, the results show that total soluble phenols concentration depended on moisture content in faba bean seeds probably due to seeds of Masr 3 cultivar had lower moisture than the other one. Consequently, the observed differences in chemical composition in faba bean seeds between the two cultivars are likely to primarily reflect genotypic variation.

3) Amino acids compounds
Amino acids compounds affected significantly all the studied chemical composition in faba bean seeds traits in the combined data across the two seasons (Table 3). Control and Pm 2 had higher seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations than those of the others without significant differences between them; meanwhile the reverse was true for seed total soluble phenols concentration. However, there were no significant differences between Pm 1 DOI: 10.4236/as.2018.912114      and Pm 2 on total free amino acids meaning that this trait responded similarly to the tested rates of Pm. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences Pm 1 and Sm 2 on seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids. Moreover, there were no significant differences between Sm 2 and control treatment on total free amino acids. The results of this study suggest that Pm 2 could activate translocation of the absorbed nutrients into the seed as a result of improvements in physiological attributes in plants that received high rate of Pm. With respect to total soluble phenols concentration in faba bean seeds, Sm 1 had higher seed total soluble phenols concentration than others. It is important to mention that there were no significant differences between Sm 1 and Pm 1 for total soluble phenols concentration in faba bean seeds. It is known that tyrosinase inhibition activity is significantly correlated with total phenols and antioxidant capacity [53]. On the other hand, increasing rate of Sm from 3.5 to 7.0 cm·L −1 increased seed N, P, K, total sugars and total free amino acids concentrations was due to increase in translocation rate of N, P, K and total sugars concentrations from leaves to seed during seed filling period.

4) Interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars
Interaction between ridge width and faba bean cultivars affected significantly N concentration in faba bean seeds in the combined data across the two seasons ( seed N concentration compared with the others. It seems that this interaction had not significant effects on seed quality. These results reveal that each of these two factors act dependently on N concentration in faba bean seeds.

5) Interaction between ridge width and amino acids compounds
Data in Table 4 show interaction between ridge width and amino acids compounds affected significantly N, P, K, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds in the combined data across the two seasons. Growing faba bean plants in the wide ridge that received Pm 2 had the highest seed N, P, K and total free amino acids concentrations compared with the others. These results could be attributed to faba bean plants of the wide ridge that received Pm 2 furnished better growth and development conditions for faba bean plants which reflected positively on enlargement, filling and maturation of seed development compared with the others. From the other point, growing faba bean plants in the narrow ridge that received Sm 1 had the highest seed total soluble phenols concentration compared with the others. These results reveal that ridge width responded differently to amino acids compounds for N, P, K, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds.

6) Interaction between faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds
Data in Table 4 show interaction between faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds affected significantly N, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds in the combined data across the two seasons. Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 that received Pm 2 had the highest N and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds compared with the others.
Meanwhile, faba bean cultivar Masr 3 that received Sm 1 had the highest total soluble phenols concentration in faba bean seeds indicating good antioxidants compared with the others. The concentration and presence of these compounds in plants varied depending upon many factors, including plant genetic variation, soil composition, cultural factors and climate [54]. These results show that each of these two factors act dependently on N, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds.

7)
Interaction among ridge width, faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds Data in Table 4 show interaction among ridge width, faba bean cultivars and amino acids compounds affected significantly N, total sugars, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds in the com- should be considered [55]. These results reveal that there were significant effects of ridge width × faba bean cultivars × amino acids compounds on N, total sugars, total soluble phenols and total free amino acids concentrations in faba bean seeds.

Conclusion
Our results can be concluded that the limiting factor for increasing seed quality and antioxidants of the tested faba bean cultivars depends on rate and composition of amino acids. Faba bean plants of wide ridge had higher shoot and seed chemical composition except total soluble phenols than those of the narrow one.
Also, Faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 gave higher N, P, K and total sugars concentrations in shoot and seeds, as well as, seed yield and its attributes than Masr 3.
Moreover, faba bean plants that received Sm 1 recorded the highest antioxidants in their seeds; meanwhile faba bean plants that received Pm 2 had the highest seed quality compared with the other treatments. Growing two rows of faba bean cultivar Sakha 1 in 120 cm ridge width that received 3.0 cm·L −1 of power mix increased seed yield and quality.