Increase of selenium concentration in wheat grains through foliar application of sodium selenate

Laing²,

Kurešová³

et al. 2023

Front. Nutr.

BackgroundSelenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are essential antioxidant enzyme cofactors. Foliar Se/Zn application is a highly effective method of plant biofortification. However, little is known about the effect of such applications on the concentration of trace elements and phytochemicals with pro-oxidant or antioxidant activity in pea (Pisum sativum L.).MethodsA 2-year pot experiment (2014/2015) was conducted to examine the response of two pea varieties (Ambassador and Premium) to foliar-administered sodium selenate (0/50/100 g Se/ha) and zinc oxide (0/375/750 g Zn/ha) at the flowering stage. Concentrations of selected trace elements (Fe, Cu, and Mn), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP) of seeds were determined.Results and conclusionsSe/Zn treatments did not improve the concentration of trace elements, while they generally enhanced TPC. Among examined treatments, the highest TPC was found in Ambassador (from 2014) treated with 100 g Se/ha and 750 g Zn/ha (2,926 and 3,221 mg/100 g DW, respectively) vs. the control (1,737 mg/100 g DW). In addition, 50 g of Se/ha increased TFC vs. the control (261 vs. 151 mg/100 g DW) in Premium (from 2014), 750 g of Zn/ha increased ABTS vs. the control (25.2 vs. 59.5 mg/100 g DW) in Ambassador (from 2015), and 50 g of Se/ha increased FRAP vs. the control (26.6 vs. 18.0 mmol/100 g DW) in Ambassador (from 2015). In linear multivariable regression models, Zn, Mn, Cu, and TPC best explained ABTS (R = 0.577), while Se, Cu, and TPC best explained the FRAP findings (R = 0.696). This study highlights the potential of foliar biofortification with trace elements for producing pea/pea products rich in bioactive plant metabolites beneficial for human health.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced accumulation of phenolics in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds upon foliar application of selenate or zinc oxide

Laing²,

Kurešová³

et al. 2023

Front. Nutr.

“…Agronomic biofortification has been investigated as a promising strategy to improve the nutritional value (mainly micronutrients) of staple foods. Previous studies have shown that foliar application is a highly effective method for Se and Zn biofortification [ 19 , 20 ]. However, little is known on the influence of such treatments on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in legume crops including pea, which may contribute to health beneficial effects also in humans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Separate Effects of Foliar Applied Selenate and Zinc Oxide on the Accumulation of Macrominerals, Macronutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Two Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seed Varieties

Laing

Bohn

2022

Plants

Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are important cofactors for antioxidant enzymes. Foliar Se/Zn application is a highly efficient strategy of plant biofortification. However, its effect on the accumulation of macrominerals, macronutrients and bioactive compounds in the pea plant (Pisum sativum L.) have been poorly investigated. A two-year pot experiment was performed to study responses of two pea varieties (Ambassador, Premium) to foliar-applied sodium selenate (0/50/100 g Se/ha) and zinc oxide (0/375/750 g Zn/ha) at the flowering stage. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, soluble solids (SSC), protein, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and total condensed tannins (TCT) were determined in seeds. Mg concentration in Ambassador and chlorophyll a concentration in Premium were positively affected, in part, by selenate and zinc oxide, respectively. Selenate and zinc oxide increased, in part, protein concentration in Premium. Highest protein concentration was found in Premium treated with 375 g Zn/ha (27.6% DW) vs. the control (26.6% DW). Significant (all p < 0.001) positive correlations were found, among others, between concentrations of Zn and Mg (r2 = 0.735) and between Zn and protein (r2 = 0.437) for Ambassador, and between Mg and protein (r2 = 0.682), between Zn and Mg (r2 = 0.807), as well as between Zn and protein (r2 = 0.884) for Premium. TCT significantly (all < 0.05) and positively correlated with SSC (r2 = 0.131), chlorophyll b (r2 = 0.128) and total chlorophyll (r2 = 0.109) for Ambassador. This study provides new nutritional data on Se/Zn biofortified peas, important for improving agronomic biofortification of pea plants.

“…The latter is based on optimized fertilizer application to the soil and/or crop leaves in the case of foliar biofortification, as reviewed previously ( de Valença et al., 2017 ; Cakmak and Kutman, 2018 ; Szerement et al., 2022 ). It has been shown that foliar spraying is a highly effective method of plant biofortification for Se and Zn ( Delaqua et al., 2021 ; Sattar et al., 2021 ). The efficiency of foliar applied trace elements is affected by numerous factors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Separate foliar sodium selenate and zinc oxide application enhances Se but not Zn accumulation in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

Laing²,

Li³

et al. 2022

Front. Plant Sci.

Up to 15% and 17% of the world population is selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) deficient, respectively. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important staple legume with a high potential for Se and Zn biofortification in seeds. A 2-year pot experiment investigated two pea varieties (Ambassador and Premium) following foliar-applied sodium selenate (0/50/100 g of Se/ha) and zinc oxide (0/375/750 g of Zn/ha) at the flowering stage. Selenate and zinc oxide had minimal overall effects on growth parameters. Zinc oxide did not improve Zn accumulation in both seed varieties, while selenate improved Se accumulation in both seed varieties dose-dependently. Premium accumulated greater amounts of Se in seeds than Ambassador (p < 0.001). Selenium concentrations were highest in seeds of Premium treated with 100 g of Se/ha [7.84 mg/kg DW vs. the control (0.16 mg/kg DW), p < 0.001]. The predominant Se species in Se-enriched seeds was selenomethionine (40%–76% of total Se). Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation was found between Zn and S concentrations in Ambassador (r2 = 0.446) and Premium (r2 = 0.498) seeds, but not between Se and S. Consuming as little as 55 g/day of pea biofortified by 50 g of Se/ha would cover 100% of the adult RDA (55 µg) for Se. Findings are important for improving foliar biofortification of pea with Se and Zn.