Selenium Toxicity in Berseem (Trifolium Alexandrinum) and its Detoxication by Sulphur

The toxicity of selenium (Se) in Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) a multicut fodder crop and its detoxication by (S) was studied in pots at Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar. Se was supplied at the rate of 0, 1.0, 2.5 and 5 ppm as Na₃ SeO₃. 5H₂O and S at the rate of 0, 50 and 100 ppm as K₂SO₄. The Se levels of 2.5 and 5 ppm decreased the dry fodder yield in absence of applied S, however, 1 ppm Se showed stimulation in yield. S application at 50 and 100 ppm increased dry matter yield. In presence of high S only 5 ppm Se decreaeed dry matter yield significantly. The highest dry matter yield was recorded in second cutting.

The increasing level of Se from 0 to 5 ppm increased Se concentration and decreased S, N, P and S-aminoacids, whereas S application increased S, N, P and S-aminoacids. The P concentration decreased with increase in Se when S was not applied but in presence of high S applied Se increased P concentration in plants. The decrease in S-anrinoacids of plants due to Se application was not only due to decrease in S concentration but also due to decrease in N concentration as S and N showed equally high correlation values with S-aminoacids.