Relations between phosphorus in drip irrigation water and selenium uptake by wild mustard

Abstract

A field study determined that phosphorus concentrations influence the accumulation of selenium in the plant tissue of wild brown mustard (Brassica juncea czem L.). The main treatment was a one‐way H₃PO₄ application at five different concentrations (less than 1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg P/L). A constant concentration of 5 mg Se/L was added as Na₂SeO₄ with each application. The H₃PO₄ and Se additions were injected daily by a surface drip irrigation system. Plant dry weight yields did not vary significantly from one phosphorus treatment level to another, but plant tissue concentrations of Se and P increased, soil Se decreased, and soil P increased as H₃PO₄ application concentrations increased. Thus, adding phosphate to the soil in irrigation water contributed to Se‐accumulation in mustard and led to lower levels in the soil.