Agronomic Characteristics of Common Bean Genotypes Influenced by the Use of Boron

Boron is an indispensable micronutrient for common bean culture, requiring careful studies in relation to the need and time of application since it presents a narrow range between deficiency and toxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of boron application at different times in common bean culture. An experiment was carried out in Gurupi-Tocantins, with four replicates in a factorial scheme 7 x 4, with seven cultivars (Aporé, Diplomata, IPR-Corujinha, IPR-Chopim, IPR-Gralha, CNFC 10467 and Sapphire) and four application times (T1- absence of boron application, T2- application of boron at 15 DAE -days after emergence-, T3- application of boron at 25 DAE, T4- Application of boron at 35 DAE). There was a significant interaction between the time of application of boron and genotypes for the characteristics of one hundred grains and grain yield. There is a difference between genotypes regarding the efficiency and use of boron. The most appropriate times for boron application, taking into account productivity, are 15 DAE for cultivars CNFC 10467 and Diplomata, and 25 DAE for Aporé and IPR-Chopim. Boron fertilization at 35 DAE is not recommended due to the non-responsiveness of the crop

Biofortification of Chia Genotypes with Lithium Hydroxide

Lithium (Li) is an important alkali metal that exists in the elemental form of nature. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of foliar fertilization with doses of lithium hydroxide on the development and productivity of two chia genotypes, in the south of the state. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Tocantins, Campus de Gurupi-TO, in the agricultural year 2017/18 in pots of 8 dm-3 containing red-yellow dystrophic oxisol, deep and clayey texture, in a randomized block design, under a factorial 5x2 scheme, with four replications. The characteristics of plant height, upper stem height, stem diameter, bunch length, number of bunches, liquid photosynthesis, transpiration, stomach conductance and, after harvest (145 days), thousand grain mass, grain yield and Lí content in the grains were evaluated leaf and soil. The highest concentrations of lithium in the chia grains are obtained with the application of 24.6 g ha-1 and 18.5 g ha-1 of LiOH for the genotypes originating in Paraguay and Argentina, respectively. The best responses in height, length of bunch, number of bunches, lithium content in the grain, mass of a thousand grains, liquid photosynthesis, transpiration and stomach conductance were obtained with the genotype from Paraguay

Chia Biofortification With Lithium Sources Applied by Foliar Fertilization

Lithium (Li) is an element considered essential for humans, however, low concentrations in soil, water and food have caused low consumption by the world population. Consequently, fertilization via lithium leaf to increase its concentration in food employing biofortification is an alternative, given the growing health problems in the population caused by low intakes of this trace element.  Thus, the objective was to evaluate doses and sources of lithium, applied by foliar fertilization in the development and productivity of chia, in the south of the state of Tocantins. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Tocantins, Campus de Gurupi, in the agricultural year 2016/17 in pots with 8dm3 containing a dystrophic red-yellow Latosol, with a clay texture, in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme 5x2, with four replicates. The first factor was constituted by five doses (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g ha-1) and the second factor by two sources of Li (lithium hydroxide - LiOH and lithium sulfate - Li2SO4). Two applications were carried out by foliar fertilization, the first at 75 and the second at 95 days after transplanting. At 120 days, the characteristics of plant height, the height of the upper stem, stem diameter, bunch length, number of bunches and after harvest (145 days), the weight of a thousand grains, grain yield and Li content were evaluated in the grains. The supply via Li leaf through LiOH and Li2SO4 sources promoted the biofortification of chia grains. The highest concentrations of Li in the grains were obtained with the application of 29.2 and 31.8 g ha-1 of LiOH and Li2SO4, respectively. The best responses in cluster length, thousand-grain mass, and pH were obtained using LiOH. Regardless of the source, doses of lithium above 35 g ha-1 promote a reduction in the morphological and agronomic characteristics evaluated in the culture of chia.&nbsp