Foliar application of humic acid improves growth, yield, and nutritional quality of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes under newly reclaimed soil conditions

Egypt faces a seasonal shortage of edible pulses during the summer months; therefore, introducing high-yielding legume crops such as mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) may contribute to improving pulse production. Two field experiments were conducted at the Nubaria Research Station, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 to evaluate the effect of foliar application of humic acid (HA) at three levels (0, 10, and 20 mL L− 1) on productivity and seed quality of five mungbean genotypes (Kawmy− 1, King, AVM125, VC1354, and VC3896). The results indicated that foliar application of HA significantly improved growth attributes, yield components, and nutritional quality compared with untreated plants. The application of HA at 20 mL L− 1 generally resulted in the highest values of vegetative growth and yield parameters. Significant genotypic variation was observed, where King and VC3896 exhibited superior performance, while AVM125 showed relatively lower growth response. The interaction between genotype and HA level significantly affected yield traits. The combination of King genotype with HA at 10 mL L− 1 recorded the highest seed yield (3.85 t ha− 1) and protein yield (0.24 t ha− 1), whereas Kawmy-1 with HA at 20 mL L− 1 produced the highest biological and straw yields. Foliar application of HA enhanced nutrient uptake and carbohydrate accumulation, which was reflected in improved seed quality and amino acid composition, particularly lysine, methionine, leucine, and valine.Under the conditions of this study, foliar application of humic acid may represent a promising agronomic approach for improving mungbean productivity and seed nutritional quality in newly reclaimed soils.