Selenium Uptake Capacity and Distribution Patterns in Tissues and Organs of Different Citrus Cultivars

Key Points

• The aim is to explore how different citrus cultivars absorb and accumulate selenium from soil and foliar applications.
• Analyzed selenium content in fruit and its relationship with soil selenium levels across 5 citrus cultivars.
• Applied nano-selenium, organic selenium, and sodium selenite foliar sprays to 16 citrus cultivars to assess selenium levels in fruit.
• Conducted cluster analysis to categorize selenium absorption capacities among various cultivars.
• Measured selenium content in different plant tissues after foliar application.
• Soil selenium levels exceeded 0.4 mg·kg⁻¹ in 10 of 17 orchards, but none of the citrus fruits reached the rich selenium standard (Se > 10 μg·kg⁻¹).
• All foliar applications significantly increased fruit selenium content, with notable inter-varietal differences.
• Fruit selenium content was highest in 'Crisp Skin Kumquat', followed by 'Wokan' and 'Miyagawa' under specific treatments.
• Cluster analysis revealed 'Spring Citrus' showed strong absorption of all selenium types, while other cultivars like 'Pomelo' had weak absorption capabilities.

Abstract