Effects of Selcote® ultra and sodium selenate (laboratory versus commercial grade) on selenium concentration in feed crops

Abstract

Field studies were conducted at two locations in P.E.I., Canada on cereals and forages on the effect of soil applications of Selcote® Ultra and on a comparison of sodium selenate (laboratory versus commercial grade) on selenium (Se) concentration in plant tissue. Soil at both locations was sandy loam in texture and the soil pH ranged from 5.8 to 6.0. The data showed that 5 g Se ha^‐1 added as Selcote® Ultra was adequate to raise the Se level in the first two cuts of forage tissue above the minimum required level of 100 ug kg^‐1. For cereals, 10 g Se was necessary to achieve the same level. The residual effect of 10 g Se ha^‐1 from Selcote® Ultra added in the first year maintained plant Se at >100 μg kg^‐1 in the second year in the first cut of alfalfa at one location and ryegrass at both locations. A comparison of selenate‐Se (laboratory vs commercial grade) showed that both sources at similar levels of Se fertilization were equally effective in enriching barley grain with Se with no significant differences. Addition of 10 g Se ha^‐1 rate was necessary to ensure adequate Se (>100 ug kg^‐1) concentration in the ensuing graia Increasing rates of Se increased the Se levels in grain. Selenium concentrations were much higher in the barley boot stage vegetative tissue than in the grain. Results of this study showed that only 5 g Se ha^‐1, as Selcote® Ultra, is needed to maintain adequate Se in forages. The laboratory and commercially available selenate‐Se sources were equally effective in raising Se in barley.

Notes

Contribution No. 832