Screening and evaluation of selenium-rich maize cultivars in Ziyang area

To study selenium (Se)-enriched characteristics of maize in Ziyang area and to select cultivars, six cultivars were planted on three different soils with high-Se, middle-Se and low-Se. The Se content of grain, stalk & leaf and cob were tested separately, and the relationship between Se content in soil and the capability of Se-enrichment in different organs of six cultivars were analyzed. The result showed that the Se content of maize organs is positively correlated with the Se in soil. Meanwhile, on the soil with different Se content, the trends of Se-enriching capacity in different organs of maize cultivars were as follows: stalk & leaf > grain > cob. Further comparison of the ratio of the Se content of various organs to the Se content of soil showed that, the maize planted on the middle-Se soil has the highest capability of Se-enrichment. Considering the biomass, the accumulation of Se in the grains of sweet maize Shaan K512 and waxy maize Shaan K818 were relatively higher. This study has implications for Se-rich maize and comprehensive utilization of Se in Ziyang.