Abstract
A two-year field study was conducted to determine the effect of different Se fertiliser application methods and application rates on the selenium content in maize plants. Selenium as sodium selenate was added into soil (10 g and 20 g Se ha-1) or sprayed on maize plants (20 g Se ha-1). Maize plants from control treatment contained 0.018 and 0.020 mg Se kg DM-1 in the first and the second year of the study. Foliar application exhibited superior effect by increasing selenium content in the plants up to 0.343 mg kg DM-1 in the first year, and 0.249 mg kg DM-1 in the second. Soil selenium application was less effective; selenium content in maize plants varied from 0.018 to 0.019 mg kg DM-1 in the first and from 0.018 to 0.145 mg kg DM-1 in the second year, respectively. Strong linear correlation (r=0.71) was found between selenium content in the plants and in grains. Selenium recovery rates were significantly higher in case of foliar treatment compared to soil application.
Highlights
Numerous surveys worldwide have shown selenium shortage in ruminant nutrition
A study conducted in Finland (Yli-Halla 2005), which reviewed efficacy of applying selenium fertilizers in soil over a period of 13 years, found that only 8% (0.7–22%) of selenium added to the soil was taken up by plants
The aim of this paper is to determine the effect of sodium selenate applied directly into soil and in the form of foliar spray on increasing selenium content in maize plants to the level of 0.1 mg kg-1 dry matter (DM), as that level is considered might be sufficient for ensuring satisfactory selenium supply of cattle feeding by completely mixed diets
Summary
Numerous surveys worldwide have shown selenium shortage in ruminant nutrition. Selenium has essential role in mammalian bodies, taking part in synthesis of various proteins including glutathione peroxidase, selenoproteinP, selenoproteins W and R, type I iodothyronine 5’-deiodinase and thioredoxin reductase (Tapiero et al 2003).Selenium deficiency in nutrition of ruminants causes numerous disorders, including nutritional muscular disease, reduced growth rate, retained placenta, impaired fertility and mastitis (Pehrson 1993).Many different methods have been used to increase selenium status in ruminants. Inorganic selenium added directly to soil or as foliar fertilizer can improve selenium status in plants and in animals These two methods of supplementation were commonly used and intensively studied in Finland (Gissel-Nielsen 1993, Yläranta 1993) and New Zealand (Witchel 1998), where selenium in the form of selenite and selenate was added to fertilizers, sprayed on plants, or seeds were treated with aqueous solutions of selenium compounds. Proponents of this type of selenium supplementation highlighted the facts that a very small amount of selenium was sufficient to raise its content in plants to a desired level. A study conducted in Finland (Yli-Halla 2005), which reviewed efficacy of applying selenium fertilizers in soil over a period of 13 years, found that only 8% (0.7–22%) of selenium added to the soil was taken up by plants
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