Nickel nutrition in coffee plant and relationship with nitrogen metabolism and senescence process

• Grant number: 12/01607-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: October 01, 2012 - January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: José Laércio Favarin
• Grantee: José Laércio Favarin
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nitrogen is the nutrient required in greatest quantity by the coffee and the second most exported by the plant, being fundamental in the synthesis of various compounds. Usually apply urea in coffee and N from this source is rapidly metabolized and incorporated in amino acids and amides. The assimilation of N is affected by several micronutrients, including nickel (Ni), due to it is a constituent of the enzyme urease, responsible for degradation of urea. Ni deficiency also can lead to nitrate accumulation due to low activity of malate dehydrogenase, which supplies power to the process of reducing nitrate. The understanding of the interaction of Ni with N metabolism and the aging process on the tree is important for the efficient use of nitrogen by plants. Balance data of nutrient consumption of main Brazilian crops, showed that a coffee plant is the crop that has the lowest utilization rate, with value of 8% for nitrogen. Since 2007, the Ni is inserted in the Brazilian fertilizer legislation, however little is known about its action on nitrogen metabolism and in the process of leaf senescence in coffee. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand whether coffee nutrition Ni contributes to increasing the efficiency of N use and/or delays leaf senescence, as well as to characterize the physiological and biochemical aspects and also recommend its application in the management fertilization of coffee plant. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MACEDO, L. O.; FAVARIN, J. L.; TEZOTTO, T.; NETO, A. P.; ANDRADE, S. A. L.; MAZZAFERA, P.. Soil and foliar nickel application in coffee seedlings alters leaf nutrient balance. AGROCHIMICA, v. 64, n. 2, p. 14-pg., 2020-04-01. (12/01607-3)