Open Access

ARTICLE

Effects of Different Selenium Application Methods on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Biofortification and Nutritional Quality

Yong Liang¹, Yuexing Chen², Dong Liu¹, Jianping Cheng³, Gang Zhao¹, Tzion Fahima⁴, Jun Yan^1,*

1 Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing in Ministry of Agriculture, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
2 College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, 625014, China
3 Institute of Triticeae Crops, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
4 Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel

* Corresponding Author: Jun Yan. Email:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2020, 89(2), 423-435. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2020.09339

Received 04 December 2019; Accepted 13 February 2020; Issue published 22 April 2020

Abstract

Mineral nutrient malnutrition, especially deficiency in selenium (Se), affects the health of approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Wheat, a staple food crop, plays an important role in producing Se-enriched foodstuffs to increase the Se intake of humans. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different Se application methods on grain yield and nutritional quality, grain Se absorption and accumulation, as well as 14 other trace elements concentrations in wheat grains. A sand culture experiment was conducted via a completely randomized 3 × 2 × 1 factorial scheme (three Se levels × two methods of Se application, foliar or soil × one Se sources, selenite), with two wheat cultivars (Guizi No.1, Chinese Spring). The results showed that both foliar Se and soil Se application methods had effects on wheat pollination. Foliar Se application resulted in early flowering of wheat, while soil Se application caused early flowering of wheat at low Se levels (5 mg kg⁻¹ ) and delayed wheat flowering at high selenium levels (10 mg kg⁻¹ ), respectively. For trace elements, human essential trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Mo, Co and Ni) concentrations in wheat grains were dependent of Se application methods and wheat cultivars. However, toxic trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Li and Al) concentrations can be decreased by both methods, indicating a possible antagonistic effect. Moreover, both methods increased Se concentrations, and improved grain yield and nutritional quality, while the foliar application was better than soil. Accordingly, this study provided useful information concerning nutritional biofortification of wheat, indicating that it is feasible to apply Se to conduct Se biofortification, inhibit the heavy metal elements concentrations and improve yield and quality in crops, which caused human health benefits.

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