Emergence rate and evaluation of N metabolism of herbaceous cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.r. latifolium Hutch) in soils with high boron concentrations

• Grant number: 22/15192-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Liliane Santos de Camargos
• Grantee: Roberta Possas de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

B plays a role in structuring the cell wall, stimulates reproductive tissues and acts in the synthesis of antioxidant compounds. The problem arises when the element is bioavailable in large concentrations to the plants, which can cause late emergence, decrease in stem height and poorly developed root system, in many cases the only alternative is the cultivation of species tolerant to that contaminated environment, losing the agricultural potential of the area. As a tool for the decontamination of natural environments, phytoremediation appears as a process in which the plant extracts and removes polluting elements from the environment through its root system, thus being able to recover the soil and its fertility. Phytoremediation plants are classified according to their characteristics of removing the pollutant from the environment, being considered a more sustainable process by using plants, and in addition to being safer, it is more economically viable among the decontamination processes. Although Brazil has great potential for decontamination of contaminated areas due to its great biodiversity, the use of temperate species in phytoremediation processes in the country mostly occurs, and mainly contamination caused by heavy metals. There is a need to recognize the phytoremediating role of species from tropical areas and mainly under contamination caused by toxic doses of micronutrients, given the agricultural importance in the country. In this sense, the present work seeks to evaluate the initial tolerance of herbaceous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.r. latifolium Hutch) to excess boron, since its possible use in phytoremediation processes would bring not only ecological benefits, but also socioeconomic ones, given the importance of cultivating the culture for the economy.