Macronutrients content of radishes and the influence of biofortification with selenium

Abstract

The supply of foods enriched with selenium (Se) is an effective way to improve human Se intake, especially in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Raphanus sativus L. as an agricultural crop suitable for Se biofortification and to investigate the influence of different Se doses and sources regarding macronutrients accumulation and absorption. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with a completely randomized design in 2 × 3 + 1 factorial scheme: two Se sources (sodium selenate - Na2SeO4 and sodium selenite - Na2SeO3·5H2O) were applied at three Se doses (0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mg dm−3) via soil and control without Se application, with three replications. The selenate application interfered with the sulfur absorption. However, it contributed to the increase of K contents at higher Se doses. Radish can be biofortified with Se once this element presents adequate levels. The use of selenate in lower doses (0.6 mg dm−3) is preferable to provide an adequate Se level intake and did not reduce radish production, even at the highest doses.