Selenium application forms in cowpea plants aiming agronomic biofortification and improvement of bean nutritional quality

• Grant number: 15/26817-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: André Rodrigues dos Reis
• Grantee: Maria Gabriela Dantas Bereta Lanza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There are conclusive evidences of selenium (Se) deficiency in Brazilian soils, which can lead Se deficiency in plants, animals and humans. Thus, is needed to increase the Se concentration on edible parts of modern cultivars, because the highest yield has shown a low micronutrient content and poor nutritional food quality. Selenium at low concentrations is essential for humans and animals, however, selenium at high concentrations and/or the inappropriate fertilizer management can cause environmental pollution problems. Therefore, this study aims to assess the best way of selenium application form (via soil and foliar) in cowpea plants in order that selenium concentration in the beans does not exceed 0.3 mg/kg as allowed by the Codex Alimentarius. To achieve our purpose, the efficiency of agronomic biofortification will be evaluated using a variety BRS Xiquexique because is widely planted in northeastern Brazil. The levels of selenium to be applied via soil and foliar are: (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 g ha-1) using sodium selenate as a source, 12 treatments with 4 replications, totaling 48 experimental plots. At the end, we will evaluate the effect of levels and application forms of selenium on the yield, 100 grain weight, mineral nutrient concentration in beans and leaves, total amino acid content, protein, sugars and phytate in cowpea beans. The mechanisms involved in Se accumulation and its traits related to crop response to Se fertilizer can provide a poweful information for further plant breeding and fertilizer management to improve food nutritional quality.

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)

LANZA, MARIA GABRIELA DANTAS BERETA; SILVA, VINICIUS MARTINS; MONTANHA, GABRIEL SGARBIERO; LAVRES, JOSE; DE CARVALHO, HUDSON WALLACE PEREIRA; DOS REIS, ANDRE RODRIGUES. Assessment of selenium spatial distribution using mu-XFR in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) plants: Integration of physiological and biochemical responses. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, v. 207, JAN 1 2021. (15/26817-9, 18/15490-7, 15/19121-8, 15/05942-0)