INFLUÊNCIA DO BORO NA CULTURA DO FEIJÃO-CAUPI (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is a crop of great economic and nutritional importance in Brazil, cultivated by both small and large farmers due to its high tolerance to low-fertility soils and its nitrogen-fixing capacity, contributing to agricultural sustainability. This crop is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and minerals, contributing significantly to the human and animal diet. However, to achieve its maximum productive potential, cowpea depends on a balanced mineral nutrition, in which boron plays a crucial role. Boron is an essential micronutrient for plant development, participating in processes such as cell division, sugar transport and cell wall synthesis. In cowpea, its deficiency can lead to problems such as poor pod formation, reduced seed number and lower grain quality. On the other hand, excess boron can be toxic, causing symptoms such as chlorosis on the edges of the leaves. Therefore, understanding the appropriate levels of boron in the soil and its interaction with the crop is essential to optimize management and ensure sustainable productivity. This study aims to investigate the influence of boron on the growth, development and productivity of cowpea, with the aim of determining the ideal doses of this micronutrient for the crop. This practice is essential to optimize production, ensuring greater efficiency in the use of resources and contributing to agricultural sustainability.