Abstract:

In different growth stages, selenium (Na₂SeO₃) was sprayed with different concentrations to study selenium on millet yield components to determine the optimum amount of selenium and spraying time on foxtail millet, as to provide theoretical basis for production of selenium enriched millet.A split plot design was used in the experiment including Changnong35, Jigu20 and Jingu50 as test materials, six selenium concentrations using water as CK. Results showed that suitable concentration of selenium could improve millet yield with maximum under 67.84g/hm ² treatment. The yield of millet increased first and then decreased with selenium concentrations increased. At heading stage, under 67.84g/hm ² treatment the yield of Jingu50, Jigu20 and Changnong35 increased by 4.9%,4.6% and 1.2% respectively compared with the control, Spraying selenium had promoting effect on the yield conponents, but excessive exogenous selenium inhibited foxtail millet growth and development. Ear length and spike grain weight under 33.92g/hm ² and 67.84g/hm ² were significantly different from those of the control however plant height under 33.92g/hm ² was significantly different from that of the control at heading stage. The effect of spraying selenium on grain selenium content from high to low over time was filling stage>heading stage>seedling stage. Jingu50 grain selenium content was 0.297mg/kg, 8.6 times higher than that of CK at filling stage and under 67.84g/hm ² treatment, The optimal concentration of foliar spraying sodium selenite was 67.84g/hm ² and filling stage was the best period of spraying time for increasing millet grain selenium content. In conclusion, the right amount of exogenous selenium could increase the yield and grain selenium content for millet,

Key words: Foxtail millet, Sodium selenite, Yield, Yield conponent, Selenium conten