2020/11/25 - Focus on molybdenum: successful research by Lílian Angélica Moreira

In October 2020, Lílian Angélica Moreira, PhD student from Brazil, successfully completed her eight-month research at IAPN. During her stay, she conducted and evaluated experiments in order to understand the influence of molybdenum (Mo) on nitrogen (N) assimilation and amino acid composition in plants. The experiments relied on the stable ¹⁵N-isotope technique in order to explore whether Mo supply can alter the preferred form of N taken up by plants (nitrate or ammonium). The effects of Mo applications via root and leaf on aforesaid and further parameters such as CO₂-assimilation were assessed, seeking practical alternatives for increasing the N-use efficiency by crops such as corn and sugar cane. The project was supervised by Junior Professor Dr. Merle Tränkner.

“My stay at IAPN has been very inspiring and productive. I am certain that my experience at the institute will contribute to the preparation of an excellent chapter of my doctoral thesis”, says Lílian Angélica Moreira. The experiments were conducted as part of her dissertation, that she will now complete in her home country at the University of São Paulo (USP).