1 research outputs found
Increasing grain selenium concentration via genetic and agronomic innovations.
Aims: To evaluate the potential to enhance grain Selenium (Se) concentration in wheat through agronomic
innovation practices and exploitation of existing genetic variation.
Methods: Grain samples from eld experiments carried out as part of the EU projects Nitrogen Use Eciency (NUE-
CROPS), Healthy Minor Cereals (HMC) and Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) were analysed to identify the
effects of wheat species/variety, fertiliser type and crop protection regime on grain yield, grain protein and
selenium concentrations.
Results: Fertiliser type signicantly affected grain Se concentration. In the NUE-CROPS and QLIF trials the use of
farm-yard manure (FYM) resulted in signicantly higher grain Se concentration when compared with
mineral fertiliser applied at the same N input level. Similarly, in the HMC trial, FYM and cattle slurry
resulted in a signicantly higher grain Se concentration compared with biogas digestate and mineral
fertiliser. In the QLIF trials, organic crop protection resulted in signicantly higher grain Se concentration
when compared with conventional crop protection. The NUE-CROPS and HMC trials detected signicant
differences between varieties of both common wheat (
Triticum aestivum) and spelt (
T. spelta).
Correlation analyses across the trials identied a negative correlation between yield and grain Se
concentration for spelt and positive correlation between plant height and Se concentration for both
species.
Conclusions: Higher Se concentrations in the taller spelt varieties suggest that there is considerable potential to
breed/select for high grain Se by exploiting traits/genetic variation present in older, traditional wheat
species (e.g. spelt)