Physiological quality of selenium-enriched soybean seeds

• Grant number: 24/17741-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius Martins Silva
• Grantee: Anna Luiza Rosalem Bianchi
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário Faculdades Integradas de Ourinhos. Fundação Educacional Miguel Mofarrej. Ourinhos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the expected population growth in the upcoming decades, especially in developing countries, food production must continue to meet the demands of the population. In the context of climate change and the use of finite resources, developing increasingly efficient and sustainable agricultural techniques to continue producing food is necessary. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) is one of the most important commodities in the world and the most produced crop in Brazil. Many studies aim to evaluate grain yield and seed quality of this crop. Studies demonstrate that soybean responds very well to Selenium (Se) application, which is a beneficial element that may enhance plant development and metabolism, under the correct doses. Some studies demonstrate the effect of Se on sugars and proteins production, as well as beneficial effects to photosynthesis and pigments concentration. However, there are not many reports on the effect of enriching soybean seeds with the application of the element, that is, applying Se to soybean crops to produce seeds that accumulate the element. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of enriching soybeans with Se on seed quality. The project will be carried out in the 2024/25 agricultural year, consisting of an experiment to enrich soybean seeds with Se to evaluate seed quality. The experiment will be carried out in the field, on the farm of the University Center of the Integrated Colleges of Ourinhos, in Ourinhos/SP. The experimental design will be in randomized blocks with five treatments. In the Se enrichment experiment, treatments will be applied to the soil with 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 g Se ha-1 applied as sodium selenate (Na2SeO4). Soybean yield and development assessments will be carried out, as well as seed germination tests, volumetric weight, germination speed index, electrical conductivity, seedling development and mass, accelerated aging tests, Se concentration, total sugars and storage proteins in soybean seeds. It is believed that Se has the potential to promote the physiological quality of the crop's seeds, considering the synergy observed between Se and soybean in previous studies.