M. F. Moraes

Biofortification of Trace Elements in Food Crops for Human Health

Micronutrient deficiencies have been reported in food crops worldwide. Several macro- and micronutrients are essential for human health. However, among these elements, the trace elements zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), iodine (I), selenium (Se), and cobalt (Co) are limiting in the diets of much of the worlds population. According to United Nations estimates, about 1 billion people, especially woman and children, are suffering from malnutrition of trace elements, especially in Africa, Asia, and South America. Improving bioavailability of these elements in food crops is an important strategy to overcome trace-element deficiencies in food crops and improving human health. Genetic variability in micronutrient contents in the grain of crops such as rice, corn, wheat, barley, soybean, and dry bean is widely reported in the literature. Hence, use of genetic variability among crop species and genotypes within species is an important strategy to achieve biofortification of grain of staple food crops. Other practices that can be adopted to improve bioavailability of essential elements in food crops are adopting appropriate agronomic practices, such as adequate rate, effective sources, and effective methods of fertilizer application. Use of biotechnology is also feasible to biofortification of staple food crops. Planting indigenous and traditional food crop species with high nutritive value is another important strategy to improve trace elements in human food.

Root Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Nutrient-Use Efficiency by Roots of Tropical Legume Cover Crops as Influenced by Phosphorus Fertilization

Roots are important organs that supply water and nutrients to growing plants. Data related to root growth and nutrient uptake by tropical legume cover crops are limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate root growth of tropical legume cover crops and nutrient uptake and use efficiency under different phosphorus (P) levels. The P levels used were 0 (low), 100 (medium), and 200 (high) mg kg−1 of soil, and five cover crops were evaluated. Root dry weight, maximum root length, and specific root length were significantly influenced by P and cover crop treatments. Maximum values of these root growth parameters were achieved with the addition of 100 mg P kg−1 soil. The Pu2009×u2009cover crops interactions for all the macro- and micronutrients, except manganese (Mn), were significant, indicating variation in uptake pattern of these nutrients by cover crops with the variation in P rates. Overall, uptake pattern of macronutrients was in the order of nitrogen (N) > calcium (Ca) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > P and micronutrient uptake pattern was in the order of iron (Fe) > Mn > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). Cover crops which produced maximum root dry weight also accumulated greater amount of nutrients, including N, compared to cover crops, which produced lower root dry weight. Greater uptake of N compared to other nutrients by cover crops indicated that use of cover crops in the cropping systems could reduce loss of nitrate (NO3 −) from soil–plant systems. Increase in root length and root dry weight with the addition of P can improve nutrient uptake from the soil and lessen loss of macro- and micronutrients from the soil–plant systems.

Changes of Nutritional Status during a Phenological Cycle of Coffee under High Nitrogen Supply by Fertigation

High-technology coffee cultivation systems involving fertigation commonly apply high rates of nitrogen (N). However, there is little information on the plants uptake of N under these conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the nutritional status of coffee plants during a phenological cycle in response to N applied by fertigation. The study was conducted with 7-year-old trees of Coffea arabica L., under pivot irrigation and fertigation, with five N rates (0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 kg ha−1) applied on the plants. The changes in nutritional status were monitored during the phenological cycle, and the yield was measured at the end of the cycle. The N concentration increased with the N rates and varied with the phenological period, with the greatest concentration occurring during anthesis, the same as for the sulfur level. However, N rate did not affect the concentrations of other nutrients. The greatest concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium were obtained in the final fructification phases and for potassium in the initial phases. Micronutrient concentrations were greater in the vegetative phases and anthesis but were reduced in the fruit- formation phase and increased again when the berries started to mature. The maximum yield, considering a relative production of 90%, was obtained with application of 415 kg ha−1 of N. Leaf concentrations of N were directly related to the N rates, showing that the nutritional status of coffee plants can be evaluated in the ripening phase to adjust the fertilization parameters for the next year.

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON NICKEL ACCUMULATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COFFEE PLANTS DURING FRUIT DEVELOPMENT

Nutritional and physiological significance of micronutrients in coffee plants, especially with regard to nickel (Ni) is still unknown. The dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Ni accumulation in coffee fruits, as well as their relationships with total soluble protein, amino acids, reducing sugars, and starch content during coffee fruit development (green, ripe, and dry fruits), were investigated. Coffee trees received three N fertilizer rates (0, 150, and 300 kg of N ha−1) as ammonium sulfate split into three applications per year. Nitrogen fertilization increased reducing sugars and starch concentrations in ripe fruits. In contrast, green fruits showed the highest amino acid and Ni concentrations. Fruit Ni concentration decreased in both green and ripe fruits as N rates increased; thus, indicating the possibility of either a N-associated dilution effect on Ni concentration or that Ni uptake by roots and/or transport to developing fruit was limiting. Plant nutritional status and fruit development stage influenced the coffee grain chemical composition. Furthermore, the variation in reducing sugars and starch content was more closely linked to the stage of fruit development than to N supply. A supposed relationship among the decreased of caffeine, starch, amino acids, and proteins with Ni content during green fruit development suggests a fundamental role for Ni in coffee fruit ripening. The interaction between N and Ni metabolism during fruit ripening might influence the chemical parameters involved in the coffee grain quality. This is the first report documenting changes in Ni concentrations of coffee fruit as a function of N fertilization rates and the development stage, but further research is needed to better understand the significance of N-Ni interaction in developing coffee fruit.

MINERALIZATION AND CORN RECOVERY OF 15NITROGEN FROM BLACK OATS RESIDUES TREATED WITH HERBICIDES

Nitrogen (N) mineralization from black oat residues (Avena strigosa), with or without previous application of herbicides, and its utilization by corn crop were investigated. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized setup, with three treatments and ten replicates. The treatments were: A) control - corn grown in soil with residues of black oats harvested without herbicide application; B) glyphosate - corn grown in soil with residues of glyphosate-desiccated black oat; and C) glufosinate - corn grown in soil with residues of black oat previously desiccated with glufosinate-ammonium. The remaining black oat residues on the soil surface were smaller in the control treatment than in glyphosate and glufosinate treatments. Black oat residues from the control treatment released 30% and 20% more carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), respectively, than from herbicide treatments. Microbial biomass carbon, total and mineral soil N arising from black oat residues were reduced by herbicide management. Black oat residues treated with glyphosate reduced corn total-N by 16%; however, dry mass yield was not affected by the treatments. Herbicide application on black oat reduced the total amount of residue-released nitrogen in the corn kernels, leaves and the whole plant. Net nitrogen mineralization from black oat residues is affected by the application of glyphosate or glufosinate-ammonium.