Physiological role of nickel in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) plants cultivated under water stress

• Grant number: 19/22998-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: André Rodrigues dos Reis
• Grantee: Nandhara Angélica Carvalho Mendes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Water stress is one of the major limiting factor for plant survival, which can be minimized by nickel (Ni) supply due to its proven role in cell defense against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species. In addition, Ni is essential for nitrogen (N) metabolism, working as a key element for N fixation and assimilation processes in leguminous plants. Much of what is known about Ni role has been reported in soybean, existing a limited data about others leguminous species. The hypothesis to be tested is that the Ni supply can improve N physiological use and reduce drought stress in cowpea genotypes. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (I) to evaluate the Ni effect on N metabolism and antioxidant system and (II) to assess the Ni effect on leaf ultrastructure, nutrients, carbohydrates, water use, gas exchange and cowpea grain yield in response to drought. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment will be installed containing cowpea plants grown in fertilized soils with five doses of Ni (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg-1 Ni) under different available water capacities (AWC): 30% (water stress) and 80% (control). For physiological (photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll A fluorescence, leaf matrix potential), biochemical (antioxidant, urease, proline, ureids) and nutritional analyzes, leaves and nodules will be collected during the R1 stage. The plants will be grown until the end of the cycle to determine the production components and grain yield. Differential metabolic responses to Ni supply may highlight information that will contribute to culture resilience in the face of global climate change.

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)

MENDES, NANDHARA ANGELICA CARVALHO; CUNHA, MATHEUS LUIS OLIVEIRA; BOSSE, MARCO ANTONIO; SILVA, VINICIUS MARTINS; MORO, ADRIANA LIMA; AGATHOKLEOUS, EVGENIOS; VICENTE, EDUARDO FESTOZO; DOS REIS, ANDRE RODRIGUES. Physiological and biochemical role of nickel in nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation in Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, v. 201, p. 10-pg., 2023-07-06. (19/22998-0)