Selenium Fertilization in Tropical Pastures

Abstract

Brazil is one of the largest meat producers. Meat along with other animal products have been responsible for its larger contribution as source of selenium (Se) for human. However, Se deficiency remains a concern because researches have indicated that this nutrient is found in low levels in Brazilian diet. Cattle in Brazil are fed basically from pasture, but there are strong evidences that soils contain low availability of Se; consequently plants and animals incorporate low Se levels. Pastures, Se fertilized, bring benefits to nutrition and health of animal consequently to humans already known in some countries. In contrast, Se fertilization on tropical weathered soils and tropical forages is little known. However, Se management as fertilizer in tropical environments requires researches involving field experiments, especially with animals, for establishing of safe and effective Se recommendations as fertilizer due to the Se toxicity potential and complexity in system of soil-plant-animal-human.