Boron and zinc interaction on growth, development and nutrition of cotton plants

Abstract

This study had the objective to assess the effect of the concentration of boron, zinc, and the interaction between nutrients on the growth, development and nutrition of cotton in hydroponic cultivation. The experimental design used was completely randomized with three replications, in 4x5 factorial scheme with four boron concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80 µM L^-1) and five concentrations of zinc (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 µM L^-1). Cotton plants were cultivated in a greenhouse, with a complete nutrient solution for 28 days, after which received modified nutrient solution in accordance with the treatment. At 115 days after emergence, the plants were harvested and separated into shoots, root and fruit and submitted to chemical analysis. The results led to the conclusion that the height, stem diameter, number of reproductive structures and the thickness of the bark of boll of cotton plants are influenced by concentrations of B, while production of the dry mass of fruit, shoot and total are influenced by zinc concentrations. B and Zn interaction affected the production of seeds, the content and accumulation of B in the plant, transport efficiency and use of B, however, it acts differently depending on the supply of Zn. The content and the accumulation of Zn in the fruit of the cotton and transport efficiency of Zn are influenced by supply of B, showing a synergistic relationship between nutrients.