Interactions between zinc and selenium with foliar spraying and their effects on cadmium accumulation in wheat grains
摘要
Foliar spraying zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) serves as a dual-purpose strategy for improving wheat nutrition and affecting cadmium (Cd) accumulation. A pot experiment was conducted to explore the effects of foliar Zn, Se, and their combination (ZnSe), applied at the early jointing or booting stage, on Cd accumulation and redistribution in wheat, with a particular focus on Zn-Se interactions. When applied individually, both spraying Zn or Se reduced wheat grain Cd content by 21.5%-49.8%. Notably, spraying Zn alone at the booting stage achieved maximum Cd reduction in grains (from 0.22 mg kg−1 to 0.12 mg kg−1), which was primarily attributed to Zn promoting Cd retention in the flag leaf and the secondary leaf, where Cd content increased by 56.0% and 142.6%, respectively. However, the co-application of Zn and Se exhibited a counterproductive effect, increasing grain Cd content by 12.3%-51.1% compared to the control, while simultaneously reducing Zn content by 19.9%-27.9% and Se content by 75.5%-84.4% in wheat grains compared to their individual applications. Nevertheless, Zn promoted the conversion of selenate to Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) in leaves, increasing the proportion of MeSeCys from 20%-51% to 68%-87%, which resulted in the reduction in Se translocation to and accumulation in other parts. In summary, this study reveals the antagonism between Zn and Se in wheat, providing new insights for the transformation into MeSeCys and offering potential strategies for improving grain quality while mitigating Cd contamination.