The effect of selenium application on yield parameters, selenium, protein and oil contents of grain maize

In this study, the effect of sodium selenite and sodium selenate application on the accumulation of Se, protein and oil in grain maize and herbal properties were investigated. Eight selenium levels (0-5-10-15-25-50-75-100 g Se ha-1) were used. Selenite was applied from the soil and selenate was applied from foliar. Selenium application to soil didn’t affect plant height, cob height, number of cobs, grain/cob ratio, yield and oil content of grain, it affected weight of 1000 piece and protein content of grain, statistically. Sodium selenite application from soil didn’t affect the total Se content of grain, statistically. But foliar application of sodium selenate statistically affected the contents of total Se in the grain. Selenate application from foliar to the maize plant was effective for the selenium accumulation. Also it was found that 115 μg Se kg-1 accumulated in the grain with 15 g Se ha-1 application; 125 μg Se kg-1 with 25 g Se ha-1 application; 214 μg Se kg-1 with 50 g Se ha-1 application; 420 μg Se kg-1 with 75 g ha-1 application; 523 μg Se kg-1 with 100 g Se ha-1. Concentration of selenium in the food for both human and animal is desired between 100 and 1000 μg kg-1, selenium levels seem to be appropriate for both human and animal feeding