Summary
This paper examines the selenium status of Australian agricultural soils and the selenium content of wheat grain grown under Australian conditions, where selenium deficiency in soils is recognised as a concern. The study likely evaluates agronomic biofortification — the application of selenium-containing fertilisers — as a practical intervention to raise grain selenium concentrations and thereby improve dietary selenium intake in the population. The involvement of CIMMYT co-author Ortiz-Monasterio suggests an international dimension, potentially drawing on biofortification methodologies developed across wheat-producing regions.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to the UK, where selenium-depleted soils — particularly in Scotland and parts of England — similarly result in low grain selenium concentrations; selenium fertilisation of wheat has been employed in Finland as a national strategy and may offer a comparable model for UK agricultural policy consideration.
Key measures
Grain selenium concentration (mg/kg or µg/kg); soil selenium levels; selenium uptake efficiency; potentially bread wheat yield under biofortification treatments
Outcomes reported
The study assessed selenium concentrations in Australian soils and wheat grain, and investigated agronomic biofortification strategies — likely selenium fertiliser application — as a means of increasing grain selenium content for human dietary benefit.
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