Biofortification of bean crops with selenium using nanocomposite hydrogels

• Grant number: 24/15454-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Ferrari Putti
• Grantee: Isabelli Natalia Fialho da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03005-2 - Development of new technologies to reduce the effects of water stress in models integrated into nutrient administration, AP.PNGP.PI
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/06767-9 - Impact of Selenium-Biofortified Hydrogel Application on the Dynamics of Soil Microbial Activity in Agricultural Systems, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the main foods consumed by Brazilians. Due to its importance, the crop is part of EMBRAPA's biofortification program. In addition, selenium (Se) is one of the elements that humans need and that is in short supply in Brazilian soils. In addition, the bean crop is sensitive to water stress. This proposal seeks to biofortify the bean crop with Se using controlled-release hydrogels. The aim is to evaluate the accumulated Se content, macro and micro nutrients, production components and the crop's photosynthetic system.