Selenium and zinc concentrations in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes under organic and inorganic fertilization

Selenium (Se) is beneficial element while, zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for both plants and humans. A deficiency of these elements in the human body will result in a series of severe and adverse consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of Se and Zn in seven different genotypes of wheat under organic and inorganic (conventional) fertilization trials. The experiment was a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with four replications. Se and Zn concentrations were measured with ICP-OES. The conventional system exhibited the highest grain yield. However, the concentrations of Zn and Se were higher under organic than conventional fertilization treatments. The main effect of wheat genotypes showed that the IC8 genotype had the highest mean concentration of Se (1440 mu g kg(-1)), while the local genotype had the highest mean concentration of Zn (51.7 mg kg(-1)). These two genotypes can be considered good sources of nutrition. The interaction effect showed that the ICARDA genotypes (IC8 and IC17) had the greatest Se and Zn concentrations, respectively, under organic fertilization, while the Egyptian genotype (Sids12) had the highest and lowest Se concentrations in conventional and organic fertilization, respectively. The results showed differences in Se and Zn concentrations among different wheat genotypes in response to organic verses conventional fertilization treatments.