ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ACTION OF SELENIUM IN A SOIL-PLANT SYSTEM IN THE CONDITIONS OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The effectiveness of the use of selenium-containing top dressing in the cultivation of radish

Vegetable crops of the Brassicaceae family have the ability to include the necessary trace element selenium (Se) in the composition of organic compounds such as selenoproteins, in addition, they have important properties for human health based on the content of selenium. In our work, we investigated the effect of non-root processing of vegetating radish plants on the quality of finished products. The research results showed that the selenium content in the product part of plants significantly increased with an increase in the concentration of this element in the working solution. The dry matter content also increased, while its greatest amount was observed at lower concentrations of Se in the working solution. The use of non-root treatment with a selenium-containing solution on vegetative plants led to a significant decrease in the content of ascorbic acid and nitrates, and the decrease in the amount of nitrates in radish root crops was inversely dependent on the concentration of selenium in the working solution.

Status and risks of selenium deficiency in a traditional selenium-deficient area in Northeast China

In agricultural lands with selenium (Se) deficiency, bioavailability of Se in plants is low. Residents from large-scale agricultural production areas with Se deficiency often suffer from endemic diseases because of consumption of agricultural products lacking in Se. One such area in Northeast China where Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease originated, was selected for investigating the geochemistry, influencing factors, and risks of Se in the agroecosystems. Analysis of field samples indicates that the Se deficiency in soil is significantly reduced compared with that of several decades ago, and 62.6% of soils are now Se-sufficient in the southern Songnen Plain. However, Se in crop products remains low due to weak soil-plant transfer, resulting in high risks of Se deficiency related diseases in the rural population of this area. Structural equation modeling, principal component analysis, and other statistical analyses revealed that climate conditions and soil physical and chemical properties are the key factors influencing the spatial distribution of soil Se. Extensive use of agricultural fertilizers may indirectly inhibit the migration of Se from soil to plants. Ensuring sufficient Se contents in agricultural products to meet the minimum daily requirements of residents remains a challenge in Se-deficient areas, especially in the increased agricultural production environment in China.