Boron-zinc interaction in the absorption of micronutrients by cotton

Abstract

B-Zn interaction modifies the nutritional dynamics of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in cotton. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of B and Zn concentrations on the absorption of Cu, Fe and Mn in cotton plants grown in a nutrient solution. A completely randomized experimental design with three replicates was performed, in a 4×5 factorial scheme, corresponding to four concentrations of B (0, 20, 40 and 80 μM L-1) and five concentrations of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μM L-1). At 115 days after emergence, the plants were collected, divided into roots, shoots and fruits, and chemically analyzed. The results allowed to conclude that the Cu content and total Cu in the fruit, total Cu in the roots, Cu efficiency, Fe content in the roots, Fe absorption efficiency, Mn content in the fruit, and Mn absorption efficiency of cotton are influenced by the concentrations of B in the solution. The interaction between B and Zn affected the total Fe in the roots, Fe content and total Fe content in the fruit, Fe transport efficiency, total Mn in the shoots and Mn transport efficiency. In addition, Zn acts differently according to the supply of B and vice versa.