Agronomy (May 2023)

Agronomic Biofortification and Yield of Beet Fertilization with Zinc

  • Romualdo Medeiros Cortez Costa,
  • Leilson Costa Grangeiro,
  • Francisco das Chagas Gonçalves,
  • Elizangela Cabral dos Santos,
  • José Francismar de Medeiros,
  • Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá,
  • Dalbert de Freitas Pereira,
  • Luiz Henrique de Araujo Carmo,
  • Bruna de Paiva Souza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061491
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 6
p. 1491

Abstract

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Agronomic biofortification is a technique that helps reduce hidden hunger worldwide. Zinc (Zn) is important for human health and essential for plant development and growth. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of fertilization with Zn on agronomic performance and the agronomic biofortification of beet. Two experiments were conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid, in Mossoró-RN. Each experiment was designed in complete randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of Zn doses (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 kg ha−1). Zn fertilization did not affect the total and non-commercial yield of beet; however, the dose of 6.0 kg ha−1 of Zn promoted maximum commercial yield (20.34 t ha−1). At the maximum dose, higher Zn content was also observed in the nutritional status diagnosis leaf and higher Zn accumulation was found in the leaf, tuberous root, and throughout the plant. There was also an effect on postharvest variables. There was only tuberous root biofortification in 2021. The recommended dose in beet cultivation is 6.0 kg ha−1 of Zn.

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