Agronomic biofortification of cowpea with zinc: Variation in primary metabolism responses and grain nutritional quality among 29 diverse genotypes

Author(s)

Silva, Vinicius Martins ^[1] ; Nardeli, Ana Julia ^[1] ; de Carvalho Mendes, Nandhara Angelica ^[2] ; Rocha, Maurisrael de Moura ^[3] ; Wilson, Lolita ^[4] ; Young, Scott D. ^[4] ; Broadley, Martin R. ^[4] ; White, Philip J. ^{[5, 6]} ; dos Reis, Andre Rodrigues ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Rua Domingos da Costa Lopes 780, BR-17602496 Tupa, SP - Brazil

^[3] Embrapa Meio Norte, BR-64006245 Teresina, PI - Brazil

^[4] Univ Nottingham, Sch Biosci, Loughborough LE12 5RD, Leics - England

^[5] James Hutton Inst, Dundee DD2 5DA - Scotland

^[6] Huazhong Agr Univ, Natl Key Lab Crop Genet Improvement, Wuhan 430070 - Peoples R China

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; v. 162, p. 378-387, MAY 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Dietary zinc (Zn) deficiency is widespread globally, and is particularly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is consumed widely in LMICs due to its high protein content, and has potential for use in agronomic biofortification strategies using Zn. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zn biofortification on grain nutritional quality of 29 cowpea genotypes. Zn application did not increase cowpea yield. In 11 genotypes sucrose concentration, in 12 genotypes total sugar concentration, and in 27 genotypes storage protein concentration increased in response to Zn supply. Fifteen genotypes had lower concentrations of amino acids under Zn application, which are likely to have been converted into storage proteins, mostly comprised of albumin. Phytic acid (PA) concentration and PA/Zn molar ratio were decreased under Zn application. Six genotypes increased shoot ureides concentration in response to Zn fertilization, indicating potential improvements to biological nitrogen fixation. This study provides valuable information on the potential for Zn application to increase cowpea grain nutritional quality by increasing Zn and soluble storage protein and decreasing PA concentration. These results might be useful for future breeding programs aiming to increase cowpea grain Zn concentrations through biofortification. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/18936-6 - Agronomic biofortification with selenium and zinc and sulphate x selenate interaction of Se uptake in cowpea crop
• Grantee: Vinicius Martins Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate