Effects of High Doses of Selenate, Selenite and Nano-Selenium on Biometrical Characteristics, Yield and Biofortification Levels of Vicia faba L. Cultivars

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has spread worldwide as an excellent source of proteins. To evaluate the efficiency of Se biofortification, four cultivars of V. faba (Belorussian, Russian Black, Hangdown Grunkernig, and Dreifach Wei & beta;e) were foliar treated with 1.27 mM solutions of nano-Se, sodium selenate, and sodium selenite. Yield, protein, and Se contents were greatly affected by genetic factors and chemical form of Se. Selenium biofortification levels were negatively correlated with Se concentration in control plants and increased according to the following sequence: nano-Se < sodium selenite < sodium selenate. Contrary to selenate and selenite, nano-Se showed a growth-stimulating effect, improving yield, seed weight, and pod number. Pod thickness decreased significantly as a result of nano-Se supply and increased by 1.5-2.3 times under selenate and selenite supply. The highest Se concentrations were recorded in the seeds of Se-fortified cv. Belorussian and the lowest one in those of Se-treated Hangdown Grunkernig. Protein accumulation was varietal dependent and decreased upon 1.27 mM selenate and selenite treatment in the cvs. Hangdown Grunkernig and Dreifach Wei & beta;e. The results indicate the high prospects of nano-Se supply for the production of faba bean seeds with high levels of Se.

Automated summary

The efficiency of Se biofortification in four cultivars of faba bean was evaluated. The results showed that nano-Se significantly increased yield, seed weight, and pod number. Selenium concentration in the seeds was highest in the cv. Belorussian with Se-fortified and lowest in the cv. Hangdown Grunkernig with Se-treated. Protein accumulation in some cultivars decreased with selenate and selenite treatment.