Effect of selenium on yield of soft spring wheat and indicators of grain quality in the southern forest-steppe conditions of the Omsk region

One of the most effective and safe ways to optimize selenium status is agrochemical - using selenium-containing fertilizers. Taking into account agronomic and hygienic requirements the development of the optimal doses and methods of biofortification with selenium seems to be of great importance. Investigation of selenium effect on the yield and grain quality of mild spring wheat was achieved a) with sodium selenite supplementation to soil before sowing using doses 9, 12, 15 kg/ha, and b) foliar application of 0.005, 0.01, 0.02% solutions of sodium selenite. Yield of mild spring wheat depend on meteorological conditions of the year and selenium dose. The highest yield increase of 27.8% was demonstrated for foliar application of 0.01% sodium selenite. On the contrary soil application of 9 kg Se/ha 103 БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ НАУКИ resulted the highest yield increase of 11%. Selenium concentration levels were more than 5 mg/kg DW in case of 12-15 kg Se/ha, that may be dangerous for domestic animals. The greatest Se accumulation by wheat grain was demonstrated for soil application of 15 kg Se/ha. The highest gluten content in grain was shown for soil application of 12 kg Se/ha. No clear relationship was found between selenium dose and other quality parameter of grain: hyaline and nature. Optimal dose of selenium application to meadow chernozem soil under spring wheat is proved to be energetically efficient.