Abstract
To explore the efficiency of selenium (Se) fertilizer application in dryland maize, we tested five Se fertilizer application treatments: 0 g ha−1 (Se0), 75 g ha−1 (Se1), 150 g ha−1 (Se2), 225 g ha−1 (Se3), and 300 g ha−1 (Se4). Compared with Se0, Se2 increased the leaf area, chlorophyll content, internode length, plant height, and ear height by 7.95%, 3.20%, 13.19%, 1.89%, and 7.98%, respectively. Se2 and Se3 significantly affected the stem internode diameter, cortex thickness, and cellulose content, which were positively correlated with lodging resistance. Compared with Se0, Se3 promoted the contents of soluble sugar, crude protein, crude fat, and starch in grains, which increased by 9.48%, 6.59%, 1.56%, and 4.82%, respectively. It implies that maize grain application of Se significantly improves their Se content. Se1 did not observably influence the growth of maize, and the promoting effect of Se4 on maize decreased. The lodging resistance of maize as analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis correlated with the application of Se fertilizer. It proved that higher yield, grain quality, grain Se content, and lodging resistance of stems were concerned with Se fertilizer application in the range of 150–225 g ha−1. The results provide useful information for Se fertilizer treatment in dryland maize.
Funder
Science and Technology Innovation Program of Shanxi Universities
Scientific Research Project of Shanxi Doctoral Work Award Fund
Independent Research And Development Project of State Key Laboratory of Organic Dryland Agriculture
Collaborative Innovation Center of High Quality and Efficient Production of Characteristic Crops on Loess Plateau
Basic Research Project of Shanxi Province
Crop Science Research Institute fund of Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics