Agronomic biofortification with selenium and zinc in upland rice

• Grant number: 18/18303-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: André Rodrigues dos Reis
• Grantee: Marcos Castelo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Deficiency of micronutrients such as iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in humans are the main concern for malnutrition. This is the consequence of weathering, soil pH, lime, or genetic regulation of plants for nutrient uptake. Agronomic biofortification can be a good strategy to enhance the micronutrient concentration in edible parts of crops. Is well known the genetic regulation the Zn uptake from soils. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of foliar application of Se and Zn to upland rice. Rice is the main staple food in Brazil and show very low concentration of nutrients and carbohydrates. In this study will be evaluated the combination of foliar application of Zn (0; 0,5; 1; 1,5 kg ha-1) and Se (0; 5; 10 e 20 g ha-1). At the end the grains will be harvest and send for nutrient, aminoacids, proteins and sugar analysis. The better understand of key physiological factor involving in accumulation of Se and Zn and its interactions with fertilizer can provide important information for further plant breeding and food production with better nutritional quality.