THE EFFECT OF SOIL SELENIUM FERTILIZATION TREATMENT ON THE CONTENT OF SOME IONS (Cd, Fe, Zn and Se) AND YIELD OF TWO CORN HYBRIDS

Abstract

UDK 631.8(497.6 Čapljina)
 The concentration and form of some metals and metalloids in soil is governed by many chemical and physical properties of soil as pH, redox, Fe, Al ions and soil composition. The paper studied presents influence of chemical soil properties, environment conditions and selenium fertilization rate applied on ions status of zinc, cadmium, selenium and iron in soil and plant material, as well as specific adsorption of these ions in two different maize hybrids. The study was conducted at the farm Vita-Vi Višići (Čapljina). The experiment design was a completely randomized design with two hybrids, four different fertilization treatments in four replications. The experimental area was implemented standard agricultural management practices of preparation, tillage, fertilization, application of protective agents. Hybrid NP Pako is selected in order to achieve a high yield, and M34 hybrid for quality yield. The test results and statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the yield of hybrids combined with different fertilization treatments. Accumulation of selenium, zinc, cadmium and iron in upper ground plant part of maize was not affected by fertilization treatments or selected hybrid. The highest yield was achieved by hybrid M34 Pioneer of 37.6 t ha- 1and the highest yield was obtained in application of third fertilization treatment 20 kg NaSeO4ha-1, but without statistically significant differences comparing to other hybrid or applied treatments. The highest content of selenium in the plant was found in hybrid NP PAKO 0.06 mg Se kg-1 of dry matter of maize applying the fourth liquid fertilization treatment (20 kg Na2SeO4ha-1) but also without statistically significant difference comparing to other hybrid or fertilization treatment. Content of zinc, cadmium and iron in soil or plant material had not shown significant differences due to the applied fertilization or used maize hybrids, but some fluctuations were observed. Selenium fertilization did not have a limiting effect on the formation of the yield and tested elements, but its mobility and availability in soil and plant depends also on other factors as soil properties and climatic conditions of growing season.