Absorption and transport of 68Zn, 10B e 15N by orange leaves

• Grant number: 10/06731-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2010
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Nuclear Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Enedi Boaretto
• Grantee: Antonio Enedi Boaretto
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Godofredo Cesar Vitti ; Rodrigo Marcelli Boaretto

Abstract

Zinc (64Zn, 66Zn, 67Zn, 68Zn and 70Zn), boron (11B and 10B) and nitrogen (14N and 15N) stable isotopes are all of natural occurrence. The development of the ICP-MS became possible to distinguish the nuclides of one specific element. In Brazil, the mineral nutrient of vegetables, studied by isotope technique, are only N and B. Information about absorption and transport of nutrients by orange leaves, obtained by isotope technique, is lacking in literature. The isotope determinations in Brazil were performed for 15N and 10B, however until now the determination of 68Zn in vegetal material was not performed. The general objective will be to evaluate foliar orange application of zinc sources, absorption and Zn, B and N transports, using the isotope technique. The experiment will be carried on field conditions and will be applied on leaves solutions labeled of 68Zn, 10B and 15N to verify the absorption and transport of these nutrients from old parts and to new flux and fruits. The water that drop from leaves to soil after the rain will be collected and analyzed for Zn, N and B isotopes. The results will enable better nutrients absorption and transport comprehension, supporting a more efficient handling of the foliar fertilization to citrus crop. (AU)