Agronomic biofortification of Allium schoenoprasum as an alternative to combat zinc deficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v48.i1.77010Palavras-chave:
functional foods; chives; micronutrients; hidden hunger; Zn deficiency.Resumo
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for both humans and plants. In humans, it plays a vital role in various biological functions, as a component of approximately 300 proteins, with a recommended daily intake of 15 mg. About one-third of the global population faces zinc deficiency. In plants, zinc is crucial for phytohormone and carbohydrate pathways. Biofortification of staple crops is an efficient and sustainable method for addressing zinc deficiency. Allium schoenoprasum L., commonly known as chives, is a promising candidate for zinc biofortification due to its widespread use in Brazil and ease of cultivation. This study determined the responsiveness of chives to agronomic biofortification with zinc and the impact of biofortification on biochemical and nutritional parameters. Zinc was applied via foliar fertilization at rates of 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 kg ha-1. The following parameters were assessed: fresh weight, shoot height, collar diameter, root and aerial part dry weight, and contents of selected sugars, free amino acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics. Linear regression and analysis of variance were performed using SigmaPlot software. The application of 6 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in a 248% increase in the zinc content and an average increase of 34% in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, copper, and boron compared to the control. An application rate of 0.5 kg ha⁻¹ led to a 26% average increase in plant growth. Thus, 6 kg ha⁻¹ of zinc is recommended for biofortifying Allium schoenoprasum L., as this concentration significantly increased the zinc content without severely impacting plant growth.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lucas Raphael Mourão Gonçalves, Tatiane Santos Correia, Aline Cunha dos Santos, Iolanda Maria Soares Reis, Frank dos Santos Farias, Emerson Cristi de Barros, Túlio Silva Lara, Paulo Sérgio Taube (Autor)

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