Selenium Supplementation Affects Physiological and Biochemical Processes to Improve Fodder Yield and Quality of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Water Deficit Conditions

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most complex challenges that pose serious threats to livelihoods of poor people who rely heavily on agriculture and livestock particularly in climate-sensitive developing countries of the world. The negative effects of water scarcity, due to climate change, are not limited to productivity food crops but have far-reaching consequences on livestock feed production systems. Selenium (Se) is considered essential for animal health and has also been reported to counteract various abiotic stresses in plants, however, understanding of Se regulated mechanisms for improving nutritional status of fodder crops remains elusive. We report the effects of exogenous selenium supply on physiological and biochemical processes that may influence green fodder yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) under drought stress conditions. The plants were grown in lysimeter tanks under natural conditions and were subjected to normal (100% field capacity) and water stress (60% field capacity) conditions. Foliar spray of Se was carried out before the start of tasseling stage (65 days after sowing) and was repeated after 1 week, whereas, water spray was used as a control. Drought stress markedly reduced the water status, pigments and green fodder yield and resulted in low forage quality in water stressed maize plants. Nevertheless, exogenous Se application at 40 mg L-1 resulted in less negative leaf water potential (41%) and enhanced relative water contents (30%), total chlorophyll (53%), carotenoid contents (60%), accumulation of total free amino acids (40%) and activities of superoxide dismutase (53%), catalase (30%), peroxidase (27%), and ascorbate peroxidase (27%) with respect to control under water deficit conditions. Consequently, Se regulated processes improved fodder yield (15%) and increased crude protein (47%), fiber (10%), nitrogen free extract (10%) and Se content (36%) but did not affect crude ash content in water stressed maize plants. We propose that Se foliar spray (40 mg L-1) is a handy, feasible and cost-effective approach to improve maize fodder yield and quality in arid and semi-arid regions of the world facing acute shortage of water.

The Selenium Supplementation Influences Olive Tree Production and Oil Stability Against Oxidation and Can Alleviate the Water Deficiency Effects

“…Since Se has this positive effect on plants that are exposed to stress conditions, there might be the risk of the plants tending to accumulate Se. The findings of this study are in accordance to those of Nawaz et al (2016), which found a higher total Se content in wheat shoots grown under drought stress conditions, than wheat shoots grown under well-watered conditions. However, because of the high water solubility of Se, we cannot exclude a possible higher loss of Se during the EVOO extraction process in the NDS olive drupes, than in the DS ones.…”

Effects of a foliar spray of selenite or selenate at different growth stages on selenium distribution and quality of blueberries

“…As a result of the thin and soft surface of blueberry, the storage after harvest is a tough challenge for the development of fresh fruit industry. A previous study showed that the foliar Se spray could reduce the hardness of pears and delay the maturation time, thereby improving the storage quality of pears . In the present study, spraying foliar Se increased the intact rate of blueberry by 2.8–14.7% compared to CK.…”

“…A previous study showed that the foliar Se spray could reduce the hardness of pears and delay the maturation time, thereby improving the storage quality of pears. 18 In the present study, spraying foliar Se increased the intact rate of blueberry by 2.8-14.7% compared to CK. The highest intact rate was observed in foliar selenate spray at the young fruit stage.…”

“…Selenium plays a prominent role in eliminating free radicals and peroxides to maintain cell membrane integrity in organisms. Previous studies have shown that Se could significantly improve superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxide enzyme activity in maize, as well as chlorogenic acid and chlorophyll concentrations in the leaves of Lycium barbarum . Selenium can also increase the oleic acid concentration and reduce the erucic acid concentration in the seeds of rapeseed to improve its quality .…”

Aspectos do uso da mistura mineral múltipla para bovinos de corte por produtores rurais

“…O milho é considerado o alimento concentrado energético padrão. Nawaz et al (2016) afirmam que é o grão de cereal mais empregado em suplementos, por ser rico em energia e pobre em proteína, principalmente lisina. Miguel et al (2014) testaram o uso de silagem de milho para suplementar o rebanho no intuito de melhorar a ingestão de nutrientes quando a taxa de substituição alimentar é baixa.…”