Biofortification of soybean grains with foliar application of Li sources

Abstract

Biofortification of soybean grains with lithium (Li) is a strategy to improve a food with high social acceptance, in order to promote health benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of plants and the production of biofortified soybeans with two Li sources. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replicates. Ten treatments were obtained in a 2x5 factorial scheme, comprising two sources of Li (LiOH - Li hydroxide and Li2SO4 - Li sulfate) and five doses (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg kg−1) in stages V4 and R1. The supply of Li promoted significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on the morphology, yield components and nutritional status of soybean plants. The highest grain yield was obtained with the use of Li2SO4 at the estimated dose of 45.7 mg kg−1. The plants accumulated Li between 8.00 and 11.20 mg kg −1, respectively, with the use of Li2SO4 and LiOH. In the grains, the highest concentrations of Li were obtained with the application of 120 mg kg−1. Li2SO4 and LiOH are good sources for biofortification of soybean grains.