Use of selenium fertilizers for production of Se-enriched Kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus): Effect on Se concentration and plant productivity.

Due to selenium (Se) deficiency, Se fortification of food and feed is applied in many countries. Therefore, potential use of Se-enriched kenaf was investigated based on its Se accumulation, its potential to transform accumulated Se to other Se species, and effect of Se accumulation on its growth. Kenaf was grown with different levels of two Se fertilizers (selenite and selenate) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 4 mg Se (kg soil)-1. Total Se concentrations in the plants grown on selenate-treated soil amounted to (1019 ± 136) mg Se (kg dry weight)-1 and were much higher compared to plants grown on selenite-treated soil. Identified Se species were selenite, selenate, Se-methionine, and Se-cystine. Biomass yield, net photosynthesis, and chlorophyll index of the plants decreased when plants were grown on soils treated with high doses of selenate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]