PJB-2023-265
EFFECT OF PARENT MATERIALS AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ON TRANSFER OF SELENIUM BY MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)
Muhammad Imran
Abstract
Selenium (Se) has a small range between its shortage and toxicity, making it a crucial trace element for both humans and animals. Most of the Se in humans and animals is derived from soils through the food chain. In order to identify the soils at risk of Se deficiency and toxicity, the study sought to understand how the soil’s parent material and soil characteristics affect Se fractions, species, and uptake. A total of 108 samples of soil and maize plants were taken and analyzed for their basic properties, total Se, Se fractions, species, and plant Se. Soil parent materials influenced the pH, Eh, Clay, and TOC contents. Shale-derived soils had 554 g kg-1 Se in maize compared to loess, alluvium, and sandstone's 481, 359, and 217 g kg-1 Se, respectively. The largest Se transferred from loess soils, after the alluvium, sandstone, and shale. The Pearson coefficient of correlation showed that relationships of soil properties varied with each parent material. According to the partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM), the soil characteristics had a greater impact on maize Se content than the soil parent materials. The low total-Se and rapid transfer rate of sandstone soils make them more prone to selenium deficiency. In contrast, the shale-derived soils were more vulnerable to Se toxicity due to high total-Se, despite the transfer rate is lower. Careful monitoring of sandstone and shale-derived soils is recommended to ensure that food is safe for human consumption.
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