Agronomic biofortification of sweet potato through selenium and magnesium supplementation

• Grant number: 24/16694-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Henrique Gorni
• Grantee: Rodnei Moreira Maia Filho
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista (ESAPP). Fundação Gammon de Ensino (FUNGE). Paraguaçu Paulista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Selenium (Se) and magnesium (Mg) application in plants, including sweet potato, has been the subject of studies due to the potential benefits for tuber growth, development, and nutritional quality. Se is an essential micronutrient for plants, playing a vital role in antioxidant processes and stress resistance. Mg, on the other hand, is a critical macronutrient for plant development, being a central component of the chlorophyll molecule involved in photosynthesis. In addition to enhancing growth and development, the application of these elements can influence the nutritional composition of sweet potato. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of selenium and magnesium supplementation in sweet potato plants and investigate the dynamics of these nutrients in the biofortification process, nitrogen metabolism, and plant yield. The experiment will be conducted in a greenhouse, testing four concentrations of Se (0; 5, 10 and 20 g ha-1) and four concentrations of Mg (0; 10, 25 and 50 kg ha-1), using sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and magnesium oxide (MgO) as sources. Analyses will be performed on photosynthesis pigments, antioxidant metabolism (MDA, H2O2, SOD, CAT, APX, GR), proline, growth and yield parameters. The results obtained from this study will allow the development of new strategies to increase sweet potato yield and may generate significant contributions to the agrochemical sector through the creation of efficient fertilizers for sweet potato biofortification.