Oasis Agri Prescription Blended Trace Elements Nutrients and Functions – Part 9: Selenium

SELENIUM (Se)

Functions in Plants and Soil:

• Antioxidant Defense:

Selenium increases the production of antioxidant enzymes and molecules, which scavenge damaging reactive oxygen species that are produced under stress.

• Stress Tolerance:

Selenium improves a plant’s ability to cope with various abiotic stresses (drought, high temperatures, salinity and heavy metals) by reducing the damage caused by free radicals. It can influence the expression of certain genes and the accumulation of specific compounds that help the plant adapt to stress.

• Metabolic Regulation:

Selenium influences the synthesis of secondary metabolites, like phenols and terpenes, and helps regulate nitrogen metabolism, which contributes to the plant’s overall health and resilience.

• Photosynthesis and Growth:

Selenium can protect and regulate the components of photosynthesis, which leads to higher chlorophyll content and improved photosynthetic efficiency.

• Animal Health:

Selenium is an essential trace mineral crucial for animal health, supporting immune function, reproduction, growth and acting as an antioxidant. Selenium deficiency in livestock can lead to serious conditions like white muscle disease in newborns and chronic problems such as infertility and mastitis in adults.

Deficiency Symptoms in Plants:

Note: Deficiency symptoms can present differently depending on the crop species

Symptoms of selenium deficiency in plants are not well-documented because selenium is often considered a beneficial, though not essential, element for plants.

Most of the research regarding the role of selenium in plants has only been documented within the past decade, with the majority of evidence only being documented in the past 5 years.

 

Oasis Agri formulates prescription blends of essential trace elements, based on soil and leaf analysis results. These blends are available in both granular form and as water-soluble powders, providing a unique solution to addressing trace element deficiency in soils.

Contact info@oasis-agri.com for more information.