Synergism of melatonin and nickel in germination and soybean plants subjected to high temperature.

• Grant number: 24/07721-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Lima Moro
• Grantee: Diogo Totti Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, rising global temperatures, coupled with global population growth, have put pressure on agriculture, which plays a vital role in ensuring global food security. However, the increase in global temperature has negatively impacted soybean production, as it interferes with its productive potential, being a critical factor for its development. This phenomenon triggers a process of thermal stress in the plant, leading to the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in significant cellular damage. In this scenario, the application of the micronutrient nickel (Ni), associated with melatonin (MEL), a biomolecule that mitigates the effects of stress, promoting the antioxidant system, can be great allies for high productivity on this occasion. However, research with this micronutrient and this bioregulator, in order to reduce thermal stress in soybean crops, is scarce to date. Therefore, the research project aims to evaluate the use of these biomolecules (synergism), in their potential to mitigate the effects of heat stress in soybean crops. This project will be divided into two stages, the first will be with soybean seeds and seedlings, and the second will be with soybean plants in a greenhouse and phytotron. In the first phase, the design will be completely randomized, double factorial (8x2) with high and ideal temperature (38º/28º and 30º/20º), with 4 replications.MEL will be applied to soybean seeds at doses 0.0; 10; 50 and 100 µM, as well as doses of MEL together with nickel (0 and 45 mg of Ni kg-1) with high temperature regime and control temperature, followed by germination test, radicle length, evaluation of matter mass drought and biochemistry. The second stage will be carried out in a greenhouse and phytotron, with a completely randomized design, double factorial (5x2) with high and ideal temperature (38º/28º and 30º/20º), with 8 replications. MEL and Ni will be supplied via seed treatment (best dose of the germination test) and foliar spraying as follows: 1- without application of melatonin and nickel (control); 2- application of melatonin via seed treatment; 3- application of nickel via seed treatment (Ni 20 g ha-1); 4- combined application of melatonin and nickel via seed treatment; 5- combined application of melatonin and nickel via seed treatment and in V3, foliar application of melatonin and nickel. After application and in phase V3, they will be taken to the phytotron and subjected to an increase in temperature. Measurements of gas exchange, biochemical analysis, biomass, biometrics and production will be carried out. The data will be subjected to analysis of variance and the means compared using the Tukey test (p <0.05). The project is aligned with the "2030 Agenda" of the "United Nations" to promote the "Sustainable Development Goals". This project will be carried out at the Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE), at the Center for Plant Ecophysiology Studies of Oeste Paulista (CEVOP).