Effects of two different selenium fertilizers on accumulation of selenium and heavy metals in rice grains in field trials

Selenium (Se) is a nutritionally important micronutrient for humans. The use of Se fertilizers is often the most feasible approacto precisely increase Se contents in rice grains, but the effects of common commercial Se fertilizers on producing Se-rich ricremain to be investigated. In this study, we compared the effects of liquid and granular Se fertilizers on the accumulation of Sand heavy metals in rice grains of four different varieties in field. Results showed that Se accumulation in rice grains was affecteby the form of fertilizers, applied concentrations of Se fertilizers, and rice varieties. Liquid fertilizer displayed significantlhigher Se transfer efficiency than granular fertilizer, whereas the granular fertilizer had a slightly higher effect on organic Saccumulation. More than 95.5% Se in grains were organic Se, with selenomethionine (SeMet) being the dominant one. Thproportion of organic selenocysteine (SeCys2) in grains was significantly higher in treatments with liquid fertilizer. Both formof fertilizers significantly reduced the accumulation of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Collectively, our study provides a referencfor producing Se-rich rice in a more competitive manner in practice.