Effects of selenium (Se) application and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) inoculation on soybean (Glycine max) and forage grass (Urochloa decumbens) development in oxisol

Abstract

Fertilizer application can enhance the nutritional value of plants, such effects being influenced by the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Nutrients × AMF interactions are well-known for variety of elements but very little has been addressed on biofortification of selenium (Se) in plants grown in tropical soils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Se application and AMF inoculation on growth and micronutrient contents on soybean plants as forage grass. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized factorial design with five Se doses (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg kg-1 for soybean plants, and 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mg kg-1 for forage plants), with and without AMF inoculation in three replicates. The results showed that soil Se had only slight effect on soybean growth but it caused a two-fold increase on grain yield. However, the growth of forage grass was enhanced by Se application when AMF was present. The AMF inoculation reduced benefit for soybean growth and yield but marked positive effect on forage grass at high doses of Se. Selenium contents in both plants were increased by its application in soil, being such effect proportional to soil applied doses. Selenium application and AMF inoculation had marked effects on micronutrients contents in both soybean plants and forage grass and they may contribute to Se and micronutrient biofortification.

Joint Selenium–Iodine Supply and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation Affect Yield and Quality of Chickpea Seeds and Residual Biomass

“…In previous investigations, the increased efficiency of Se biofortification under AMF inoculation has been documented in several plants, such as Allium species [25], wheat [50], and soybean [51]. Innovatively, the findings from the present research reveal the significant role of AMF in enhancing the I, Se, and Se + I effect on chickpea plants.…”

“…In previous investigations, the increased efficiency of Se biofortification under AMF inoculation has been documented in several plants, such as Allium species [ 25 ], wheat [ 50 ], and soybean [ 51 ]. Legumes have been reported to positively react to the AMF application in terms on Se accumulation, contrary to lettuce, maize, alfalfa, and forage grass ( Urochloa decumbens ) [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation Increases Organic Selenium Accumulation in Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) Growing in Selenite-Spiked Soils

“…The crop absorbed Se from the soil via upward translocation in the root, then distributed Se to different tissues, and ultimately deposited Se in the grain (as reflected by grain Se accumulation). Numerous studies have found that increasing Se concentration in the soil using inorganic Se fertilization has positive impacts on Se accumulation in several crops, including Zea mays, soybean, and wheat [ 21 , 43 , 44 ]. In the current study, we found that fertilizing the soil with selenite could significantly increase the concentration in different parts of soybeans, including roots, leaves and stems, pods, and seeds.…”

Research Advances of Beneficial Microbiota Associated with Crop Plants

“…Moreover, AMFs improved rice production by reducing the total content of As, and improving the nitrogen/carbon (N:C) ratio in rice grains [85,86]. Furthermore, one study reported that selenium (Se) × AMF interactions promoted both soybean and forage grass (Urochloa decumbens) for Se absorption, which improved the quality of the two plants used as animal feed [87]. Rhizoglomus intraradices, one model species of AMFs, help rice, soybean, ginseng (Panax ginseng), and other crops resist drought and cold stresses and promote nutrient absorption [10,88,89].…”