Effect of Foliar Copper-Containing Superabsorbent Polymers on Nutritional Characteristics and Mycotoxin Contamination of Wheat Kernel

Abstract

Novel use of superabsorbent polymers to deliver copper-based foliar fertilization was tested as a means against fungal mycotoxin production and monitor its effect on nutritional characteristics of wheat. Experiment was located in Žabčice, South Moravia region of the Czech Republic, tested wheat variety was 'Julie'. Differences in fertilization medium (water or superabsorbent polymers) and copper treatments (control, CuO, CuSO 4 , Cu-EDTA, CuO-nano) were tested. Effect of different variants on percentage of ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, ashfree neutral detergent fiber, lignin, cellulose and starch were determined. Moreover, concentration of deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin depending on the variant was measured. The highest amounts of crude fat and crude fiber were observed in variant of Cu-nano with superabsorbent polymers, the lowest in CuO respectively. Higher amount of cellulose was found in SAP control, lowest in water control. There were no significant differences in other nutritional parameters. Of the evaluated mycotoxins, we did not detect the deoxynivalenol in any of our samples. For the second evaluated mycotoxin, there was also no difference observed in T-2 toxin production.

Effect of Natural Liquid Hydroabsorbents on Ammonia Emission from Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizers and Plant Growth of Maize (Zea Mays L.) under Drought Conditions

“…The bio-based natural hydroabsorbent is more degradable in the soil and does not pose such environmental risks in comparison with the conventional inorganic SAPs. While the effect of solid synthetic and natural hydroabsorbents has been documented in several studies, sources evaluating the effect of liquid forms of hydroabsorbents in agriculture are not available [ 39 ].…”