Boron (B) nanofertilizers are an innovative alternative with great potential to make nutrient application more efficient and thereby improve crop growth and productivity. However, nowadays there is little literature on the effects of boron nanofertilizers on physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to study the efficacy of foliar application of a boron nanofertilizer on biomass, yield, nitrogen assimilation and photosynthetic activity in green beans plants cv. Strike. The B nanofertilizer was foliar applied at 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm. Biomass accumulation, yield, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic pigment content were evaluated. The results obtained indicate that the application of B nanofertilizer at dose of 25 ppm were more effective in improving biomass, while the dose of 100 ppm favoured nitrate reductase activity and stomatal conductance. The results suggest that the application of B nanofertilizers stimulated the development of green bean plants. Finally, more studies are needed to evaluate the possible phytotoxic effects of high doses of B nanofertilizers and to compare their effects with conventional B fertilizers already used in the market.

Approximately 33% of the world's population is affected by Zinc (Zn) deficiency, making it the fifth leading cause of human disease and mortality. An innovative strategy to this problem in the food diet is biofortification. Therefore, the use of nanotechnology emerges as a possible way to achieve the optimal development of plants in a sustainable and precise way. The objective of the present study was to increase the Zn content in bean plants cv. ‘Strike’, through the application of nanoparticles versus Zn nitrate plus chitosan. Two sources of Zn were applied via foliar: Zn nanoparticles and Zn nitrate at doses of 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm with and without chitosan. The results indicate that the application of Zn favours the biofortification process, finding increases for all the treatments used. The treatments that stood out were Zn nitrate plus chitosan at 50 and 100 ppm, which increased the Zn content in fruits by more than 110%. The application of Zn nanoparticles at 25 ppm and Zn nitrate at 50 ppm favoured biomass accumulation and production. Furthermore, the addition of chitosan helped biomass and yield, especially when combined with Zn nitrate. Finally, indicate that a greater number of studies are required regarding the use of nanoparticles and chitosan in horticulture to determine with certainty their effect on the physiology and nutrition of plants.

Common bean has been classified as an almost perfect food due to its high content of fiber, protein and bioactive compounds and its high antioxidant capacity, which has been attributed to having prevent diabetes, oxidative stress, bowel inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this research work was to characterize the physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds of 155 varieties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) produced in Mexico with potential to be biofortified. The contents of protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrates and energy were analyzed by the methods established by the AOAC, in addition the antioxidant capacity (DPPH), the content of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and phytic acid were obtained. Cluster, correlation, and principal component analysis were conducted. A total of 14 outstanding varieties was identified, where four varieties stood out about phenol and flavonoid content. A second group comprised by 10 varieties had high protein and anthocyanin levels and showed the second highest content of phenols and flavonoids. The diversity of beans obtained in outstanding varieties provides options for biofortification programs based on the consumption or place of origin of each variety.