Selenium content of barley as influenced by selenite and selenate‐enriched fertilizers

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Abstract
This study was conducted under field conditions to determine the effect of selenite as compared to selenate sources of Se added at the rates of 10, 20 and 40 g Se ha‐1, on Se concentration in barley. Rates of 10 g Se ha‐1, in the form of sodium selenate, were quite sufficient to enrich the barley grain to 234 μg Se kg‐1. Increasing the rates of selenate Se to 40 g ha‐1 raised the grain Se level to 959 μg kg‐1. With either calcium or sodium selenite, the high rate of 40 g Se ha‐1 was ineffective in raising the grain Se concentration. The grain Se concentration at 20 μg kg‐1 in the Se treated plots during the second year was similar to those in the control treatments regardless of the rate or source of Se used. Therefore, yearly applications of 10 g Se ha‐1 in the form of selenate fertilizer are recommended to enrich the cereal grain ‘to protect livestock from Se deficiency.