Association of Sorghum bicolor and biofertilizer in soil bioremediation with tebuthiuron and thiamethoxam

• Grant number: 24/14808-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Renato Matos Lopes
• Grantee: Thalia Silva Valério
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Dracena. Dracena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a crop of great importance in rotation with sugarcane, due to its resistance to adverse conditions and ability to improve soil structure. However, there are few reports on the interaction of sorghum with herbicides such as tebuthiuron, especially when associated with other inputs such as insecticides (e.g., thiamethoxam) and biofertilizers. This project aims to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of sorghum in soils contaminated with tebuthiuron and thiamethoxam and the influence of biofertilizers in this process. The experimental design will be completely randomized according to the absence or presence of tebuthiuron, thiamethoxam, and biofertilizers. Thus, 8 treatments with six replicates will be carried out, at six evaluation times: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 days after sowing. Plant development will be evaluated by: phytotoxicity; stem diameter; height; root length; and fresh and dry biomass of aerial and root parts. Ecotoxicity bioassays and quantification of residual pesticide concentrations will determine the environmental impact in soil samples. In addition, a stage to analyze photosynthetic parameters is planned. Finally, mathematical models will be adapted to relate to the different conditions. In this way, the originality of the research is endorsed by the innovative approach and multidisciplinary evaluation with the aim of expanding the frontiers of knowledge and possibly developing sustainable biotechnological tools. (AU)