ABSORPTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN ACMELLA OLERACEA: TOXIDITY, PHYTOEXTRACTION AND BIOFORTIFICATION.
jambu, cadmium, selenium, translocation
Jambu is a plant native to tropical regions, mainly in the Brazilian Amazon, and is also found in Africa and Asia. In the state of Pará, in the northern region of Brazil, it is widely cultivated because it is widely used in regional cuisine; in addition, its use has advanced in multiple applications at national and international level. The objective of the thesis research is to analyze the behavior of the cultivar Acmella oleracea (jambu) in terms of phytoextraction, toxicity and biofortification. The experiments are individualized for toxicity, phytoextraction and biofortification, with a completely randomized design and conducted in a greenhouse by a semi-hydroponic system in pots. The first experiment to assess selenium toxicity included 4 treatments and 15 repetitions, totaling 60 plants. Three doses of selenium were used in the form of sodium selenate (5, 10 and 20 mg.kg-1), plus the control. The second experiment will evaluate the biofortification potential and will include 6 treatments and 5 repetitions. Doses of selenium in the form of sodium selenate (1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 mg.kg-1) will be used, plus the control. The third experiment should determine the phytoextraction potential in relation to cadmium in doses 1, 3, 6 and 9 mg.kg-1 in the form of cadmium chloride and control treatment, with 5 plants per treatment. The partial data from the first experiment were submitted to ANOVA and Principal components analysis for the construction of indicators and composition of the regression model. The growth, mass and physiological indicators, in the assessment of selenium toxicity, showed a beneficial effect for the plant up to 5mg.L-1. However, from 10mg.L-1 on If the plant's development starts to be compromised, pointing to levels of toxicity of the element until the lethal dose of 20mg.L-1. The optimal dose of selenium for the development of jambu was 2.1 mg.L-1. Partial analyzes point to the use of selenium in biofortification, as long as observed at the plant's toxicity doses, given its low tolerance to the element was already demonstrated in the first experiment. As for the evaluation of the phytoextracting capacity of jambu, to be tested for Cd, it is expected to confirm the hypothesis of translocation of this metal in the cultivar.