Biofortification of upland rice using selenium-enriched urea: Evaluation of potential genotypes

Abstract

This objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of upland rice genotypes to absorb selenium (Se) in the form of selenate (SeVI) and translocate it to grain using Se-enriched urea in topdressing fertilizer and to investigate its effects on the agronomic attributes of rice. For this, twenty upland rice genotypes were evaluated in a split-plot design in two areas, where each experimental plot was divided into subplots. One subplot was treated with application of Se-enriched urea (80 g of Se ha−1), while the other subplot was used as a control treatment and fertilized normally with urea. The evaluated traits were plant height, thousand grain weight, hulling yield, whole grain milling yield, grain yield, Se content, and intake in the polished grain. The results suggest that the application of Se-enriched urea increased the whole grain milling yield of rice in both areas. Genetic variability was among the upland rice genotypes in terms of their ability to increase Se in the grain when Se-enriched urea was applied, with all genotypes biofortified and a maximum Se content of 2.30 mg kg−1 in the grain. These results indicate that it is possible to increase the Se content in rice grains by application of Se-enriched urea fertilizer. This increase in Se content results to a higher daily intake of Se (µg person-1 day−1). This strategy could help to minimize the deficiency of this nutrient in the population, particularly in regions where Se is not very representative in cultivated soils.