CONTROLLED RELEASE HYDROGELS WITH ZINC AS A SOURCE OF BIOFORTIFICATION FOR BEAN CROPS

• Grant number: 25/08054-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 30, 2025
• End date: October 29, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Ferrari Putti
• Grantee: Bruno Braga da Silva
• Supervisor: David Leonard Jones
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Bangor University, Wales
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/17127-8 - Controlled-release hydrogels with zinc as a source of biofortification for bean crops, BP.IC

Abstract

This research project explores the use of controlled-release hydrogels with zinc for the biofortification of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), to address global challenges including food security, water scarcity, and climate change. The main objectives are to evaluate the effects of hydrogels on soil respiration, microbial activity, and nutrient availability, while improving water-use efficiency and enhancing the nutritional value of beans. Experiments were conducted in Brazil using different treatments with zinc and hydrogels and will be complemented with isotopic and microbiological analyses at Bangor University in the UK. Preliminary results suggest that hydrogels can improve soil moisture retention and zinc availability, benefiting both agricultural productivity and human nutrition. The project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), establishing itself as a sustainable solution for agriculture and food security