The impact of selenium fertilizer application on the yield, quality, and selenium accumulation characteristics of various sweet potato varieties

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4653561/v1

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The impact of selenium fertilizer application on the yield, quality, and selenium accumulation characteristics of various sweet potato varieties

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4653561/v1

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The study focuses on the Gui 10 sweet potato variety, with different concentrations of selenium fertilizer applied (0, 4, 8, 12, and 14 mg/kg). The effects of selenium fertilizer on the agronomic traits, nutritional quality, yield, and selenium absorption of sweet potatoes are investigated to determine the optimal selenium supply level for the Gui 10 sweet potato variety, while also providing insights for the development of sweet potatoes. The results indicate that exogenous selenium supplementation increases the number of branches per plant, the longest vine length, and the number of tubers per plant, promoting the absorption of nutrients by sweet potatoes, thereby enhancing yield (by 26%). The contents of soluble sugar and starch show an increase, while the contents of reducing sugar and protein demonstrate a decrease. Additionally, selenium application significantly enhances selenium content in various parts of sweet potatoes, with the order of tuber > stem > leaf > root observed across different selenium application concentrations, indicating that tubers are the most susceptible to selenium accumulation. These findings suggest that the amount of selenium fertilizer has a specific impact on selenium accumulation in sweet potatoes. In conclusion, the optimal selenium application concentration for improving soil fertility, promoting sweet potato growth, enhancing quality, and increasing yield is 16 mg/kg^− 1.

sweet potato

The amount of selenium applied

Yield

Quality

Selenium accumulation

Sweet potato is one of the important staple crops, second only to potatoes and cassava worldwide (Liu et al. 2024; Meng et al. 2022).In the late 16th century, sweet potatoes were introduced to China and widely cultivated due to their strong adaptability and high and stable yields. Sweet potatoes are nutritionally well-balanced and have been crowned "the best food" by the World Health Organization. It is widely known that the roots, stems, and leaves of sweet potatoes are all edible. Sweet potato leaves contain functional compounds with antioxidant activity, which enhance immunity, protect the liver, and provide health benefits such as anticancer and antibacterial effects (Li et al. 2017; Wang et al. 2016; Wu et al. 2015). Sweet potatoes are rich in starch, sugars, proteins, vitamins, fiber, and various amino acids, including certain B vitamins and vitamin C. These water-soluble vitamins (WSVs) play an important role in maintaining human health(Barrera and Picha 2014) .

Selenium is one of the essential trace elements in the human body, with a content ranging from 14 to 21 mg. It plays various roles, including antioxidant functions, synergistic protection of cells with vitamin E, enhancement of immune function, and maintenance of vascular and cardiac health (Han and Liu 2022; Xu et al. 2022). In 1973, American scholars discovered that selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase. Research indicates that selenium deficiency affects 10–50% of the population in most countries (That is, the adult intake is < 50 micrograms per day), leading to low selenium intake and reduced expression of selenium enzymes(Broome et al. 2004; Combs 2022). Selenium deficiency in the human body can lead to a decline in certain functions. Recent statistical data indicates that selenium deficiency significantly increases the risk of contracting highly pathogenic viral diseases. Additionally, it contributes to various cardiovascular diseases in humans(Yujiao et al. 2023), including myocardial infarction(Shimada et al. 2021) and hypertension(Lili and Liwei 2024). The maximum recommended daily intake of selenium for adults is 400 µg/d. Excessive supplementation of selenium can also be harmful to the human body. The level of selenium in the human body exhibits a U-shaped curve relationship with the occurrence of certain diseases. Excessive selenium supplementation also carries the risk of inducing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Consuming sweet potatoes can supplement a small amount of selenium. Qiaotou Town in Chengmai County, Hainan Province, is nationally renowned as a 'selenium-rich region,' famous for its selenium-rich sweet potato tubers, which are popular throughout the country. However, selenium distribution in China is uneven, with both selenium-rich and selenium-deficient areas. Seventy-two percent of the regions in our country belong to low-selenium and selenium-deficient zones, with 30% classified as severely selenium-deficient areas. The selenium content in staple foods and vegetables is very low, indicating that the daily selenium intake of the Chinese population is insufficient.

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans, and it is also crucial for animals and plants(El-Ramady et al. 2020; Pecoraro et al. 2022).Research has shown that the concentration of selenium in plants had varying effects on their growth. Selenium was found to reduce the inhibitory effect of cadmium on plants in cucumber (Bu et al. 2020).The foliar application of selenium promoted an increase in the photosynthetic rate of wheat grains and had a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism by increasing soluble sugars, starch, and other metabolites (Lara et al. 2019).Gao et al. reported that selenium application could reduce the transfer of cadmium from the soil to the leaves and decrease the damage to the cell wall caused by lipid peroxidation resulting from reactive oxygen species formation in leaves when soil cadmium contamination occurred (Jiang et al. 2022; Seregina et al. 2023).As such, it is particularly important to identify the impact of selenium on the quality and selenium accumulation characteristics of sweet potatoes.

This study focuses on three different varieties of sweet potatoes, namely Gui 10, Gui Ziwei 1, and Violet. It investigates the absorption and accumulation patterns of exogenous selenium in these varieties, as well as their effects on tuber quality and yield. The aim is to select the optimal selenium application concentration and explore the absorption, accumulation, and distribution patterns of selenium in edible sweet potatoes.

A greenhouse cultivation experiment was conducted on sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas). The cultivation variety, Gui Shu 10, was planted in 2018 at the Mingyang Base of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, located in Nanning, China. The experiment was conducted on red soil with the following characteristics: pH 7.1, organic matter 8.7%, nitrogen (N) 449 mg/kg, phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) 430 mg/kg, potassium oxide (K₂O) 3928 mg/kg, and total selenium content in the soil of 0.23 mg/kg.

2.2 Experimental design

The experiment was conducted in 2018 at the Mingyang Base of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, located in a greenhouse (latitude N: 31°24'18.97", longitude E: 121°29'21.88"). Pot experiments were employed. The experiment was conducted on red soil with the following characteristics: pH 7.1, organic matter 8.7%, nitrogen (N) 449 mg/kg, phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) 430 mg/kg, potassium oxide (K₂O) 3928 mg/kg, and total selenium content in the soil of 0.23 mg/kg.

The experimental design included a control group (CK, without selenium addition) and four selenium fertilizer gradients: selenite (4, 8, 12, 16) mg/kg, totaling five treatment groups. Each group had three replicates, making a total of 45 pots. Each pot was fertilized with compound fertilizer (17:17:17) at 9 grams, potassium sulfate (51%) at 9 grams, and mixed evenly with the same soil as base fertilizer. After the addition of selenite, the pots were left for two weeks before planting.

A randomized complete block design with 15 replicates was used, with each pot planting two sweet potato .

2.3 sampling

According to the experimental plan, samples are collected at 50, 70, 90, 110, and 130 days after planting. Indoor investigations are conducted to assess the branching number and vine length of individual plants, which are then divided into four parts: roots, stems, leaves, and tubers for analysis. Each part is weighed, bagged, and dried in an oven to calculate both tuber dry yield and fresh tuber yield. For soluble sugars, reducing sugars, and protein determination, samples are taken from fresh tuber chunks, washed, and dried. One portion of the samples is used for soluble sugars, reducing sugars, and protein analysis, while another portion is sliced, dried, ground into powder, and utilized for starch, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and selenium content determination.

Method for fresh tuber yield determination: Mature tubers from each pot are collected, weighed on a scale, and repeated three times to obtain an average.

Method for tuber dry yield determination: All tubers are cut into shreds, oven-dried to a constant weight, repeated three times, and averaged.

Vine length (cm): The length from the stem base to the stem tip is measured three times.

Method for soluble sugars determination: 2.0 grams of sweet potato powder are placed into a 150-milliliter beaker and mixed with approximately 40 milliliters of 80% ethanol solution. After sealing the beaker with a film, the mixture is magnetically stirred at 45 degrees Celsius for 2 hours. Once cooled to room temperature, the solution is adjusted to 50 milliliters. The solution is then centrifuged, filtered through a 0.45-micrometer filter membrane, and transferred to sample bottles for further analysis.

Method for reducing sugars determination: Copper sulfate method is employed.

Method for starch determination: The defatted and desugared samples are transferred twice into test tubes with 15 milliliters of distilled water each time. Then, 10 milliliters of hydrochloric acid solution (1+1) are added to the test tube, mixed, and heated in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. The degree of hydrolysis is then tested using iodine solution. After cooling, the solution is adjusted to 100 milliliters, centrifuged at 8,000 rpm for 10 minutes at 25 degrees Celsius, and 20 milliliters of supernatant is taken. 30 milliliters of distilled water and sodium hydroxide solution (200 grams per liter) are added to adjust the pH to 7~7.3, then the solution is brought to 100 milliliters and mixed well for later use.

Method for protein determination: 1 gram of sweet potato sample is placed into a 500-milliliter Kjeldahl flask and thoroughly mixed with 30 milliliters of water. Then, 15 milliliters of 10% barium chloride solution are added to the flask and shaken. Subsequently, 40~50 milliliters of 45% sodium hydroxide solution are added, and a distillation apparatus is immediately connected. The distillation tube is immersed in a graduated cylinder containing 40 milliliters of 2% borax and 2 drops of methyl red-bromothymol blue mixed indicator. After ensuring thorough mixing, the distillation is started. When the volume of the distillate reaches 60 milliliters (total volume 100 milliliters), the distillation process is stopped. Finally, the absorbent liquid is titrated with 0.05 moles per liter standard hydrochloric acid solution, and the volume consumed is recorded.

Determination of heavy metal content in sweet potatoes: Various varieties of sweet potatoes are first rinsed with tap water, then washed with distilled water, air-dried, sliced, and dried at 400 degrees Celsius, followed by grinding and sieving through a 200-mesh sieve. After sampling, they are treated with a mixture of HNO₃ (AR) and HClO₄ (AR) in a ratio of 4:1, and the volume is adjusted to 2000 milliliters for heavy metal content determination. Soil samples are air-dried, sieved through a 2 mm nylon sieve to remove impurities, further ground with agate mortar, sieved through a 100-mesh nylon sieve, and then a certain amount of soil sample is taken for heavy metal determination. Using nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid and other high-purity reagents for complete digestion, all heavy metal elements in the soil samples are transferred into the test solution, and then their heavy metal content is determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

2.4 Data analysis

The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance, with mean separation conducted through Duncan's multiple range test, following a significance level of 0.05. SPSS software version 14.0 was employed for the analysis.

3. 1 Effects of selenium application on agronomic characters and yield of sweet potato

According to Table 3^− 1, it is evident that after selenium application, there is an overall upward trend in the number of branches, maximum vine length, and number of tubers per sweet potato plant. When the selenium concentration is 16 mg/kg^− 1, the number of branches per plant reaches its maximum value, showing a 37% increase compared to the control group (CK). When selenium concentrations are 12 mg/kg^− 1 and 16 mg/kg^− 1, the longest vine lengths are observed compared to the CK. Meanwhile, when selenium concentration is 8 mg/kg^− 1, the lengths are similar to the CK. The highest number of tubers per plant is found in the treatment with 16 mg/kg^− 1 of selenium, showing a 9% increase compared to the CK. The fresh tuber yield significantly increased under selenium application at concentrations of 12 mg/kg^− 1 and 16 mg/kg^− 1, showing a 29% and 31% increase compared to other treatments, respectively. Similarly, the dry tuber yield exhibited a consistent pattern with the fresh tuber yield under selenium application, showing a 25% and 26% increase compared to the CK, respectively. From the above, it can be seen that moderate selenium application can increase the number of branches per plant, maximum vine length, and number of tubers per plant, thereby increasing yield. The best effect is observed at a concentration of 16 mg/kg^− 1.。

Table 3^− 1

Effect of selenium application on agronomic traits of sweet potato
Se processing(mg/kg^− 1)	Number of branches per plant (pieces)	Maximum vine length (cm)	Number of potatoes produced per plant (pieces)	Fresh potato yield (g)	Dried potato yield (g)
CK	7.93c	110.12a	6.67a	213.67a	44.58a
Se4	10ab	105.71a	6.50a	268.55ab	55.38a
Se8	9.43b	110.93a	5.50a	227.97ab	50.37a
Se12	9.18bc	114.48a	6.67a	276.18ab	55.57a
Se16	10.87a	115.86a	7.33a	278.95a	56.13a

3.2 Effect of selenium application on nutritional quality of sweet potato

3.2.1 Effect of selenium application on soluble sugar and reducing sugar of sweet potato

According to Fig. 1, it is evident that the application of selenium significantly influences the soluble sugar content of sweet potatoes, and overall, it demonstrates a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing with the increase in selenium concentration. Compared to the control group (CK), the soluble sugar content of sweet potatoes significantly increases after selenium application, with the greatest increase observed at a selenium concentration of 8 mg/kg^− 1. It triples compared to the CK group. However, when the selenium content surpasses 8 mg/kg^− 1, there is a significant decrease in the soluble sugar content, which demonstrates an increasing trend compared to the CK group. The trend in reducing sugar content is opposite; after selenium application, the reducing sugar content of sweet potatoes significantly decreases, showing declines of 28%, 25%, 52%, and 33% respectively compared to CK, with the most significant decrease observed at a selenium concentration of 12 mg/kg^− 1. From this, it can be observed that moderate selenium application significantly increases the soluble sugar content of sweet potatoes. However, beyond a certain range, the increasing trend in soluble sugar content decreases, while the reducing sugar content decreases.

3.2.2 Effect of selenium application on protein of sweet potato

Based on Fig. 2, it is evident that after selenium application, the protein content of sweet potatoes significantly decreases, showing a trend of initial decline followed by slow increase. After selenium application, the protein content of sweet potatoes decreases by 17–32%. The most significant decrease in protein content occurs at a selenium concentration of 4 mg/kg^− 1, followed by the 8 mg/kg^− 1 treatment, which decreases by 23%. Overall, it can be observed that selenium application significantly reduces the protein content of sweet potatoes, with the most pronounced effect observed at a selenium concentration of 4 mg/kg^− 1.

3.2.3 Effect of selenium application on sweet potato starch

From Fig. 3, it is evident that after selenium application, the starch content in sweet potatoes significantly decreases, and it exhibits a trend of initially increasing, then decreasing, and then slowly increasing again with the selenium concentration. Compared to CK, selenium fertilizer increases the starch content of sweet potatoes. At selenium application rates of 4 mg/kg^− 1, 8 mg/kg^− 1, 12 mg/kg^− 1, and 16 mg/kg^− 1, the starch content increases by 6%, 3%, 6%, and 6% respectively, with the greatest increase observed at a selenium application rate of 4 mg/kg^− 1. These results indicate that selenium fertilizer can enhance the starch content of sweet potatoes, consistent with the trends observed for soluble sugar content.

3.2.4 Effect of selenium application on heavy metals in sweet potato

From Fig. 4(A), it is evident that, except for the treatment with a selenium concentration of 4 mg/kg^− 1, all treatments have increased the accumulation of lead in sweet potatoes. The lead content in sweet potatoes increases with the increase in selenium concentration. When applied at concentrations of 8 mg/kg^− 1, 12 mg/kg^− 1, and 16 mg/kg^− 1, the lead content in sweet potatoes increased by 17%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, compared to the control (CK), except at the concentration of 4 mg/kg^− 1. Selenium fertilizer affects cadmium accumulation differently from lead accumulation. Compared to the control, all treatments have reduced the cadmium content in sweet potatoes (Fig. 4B). At selenium concentrations of 4 mg/kg^− 1 and 12 mg/kg^− 1, there is no significant difference in the downward trend, with decreases of 29% and 32%, respectively. Similarly, at selenium concentrations of 8 mg/kg^− 1 and 16 mg/kg^− 1, there is no significant difference, with decreases of 37% and 38%, respectively. When compared with CK, except for the selenium application rate of 12 mg/kg^− 1, all other treatments have enhanced the accumulation of mercury in sweet potatoes (Fig. 4C). At selenium application rates of 4 mg/kg^− 1, 8 mg/kg^− 1, and 16 mg/kg^− 1, mercury accumulation increased by 14%, 23%, and 11% respectively, while in the remaining treatments, mercury accumulation significantly decreased by 6%. From Fig. 4(D), it can be observed that compared to CK, there was no change in the arsenic content in sweet potatoes at selenium application rates of 12 mg/kg^− 1 and 16 mg/kg^− 1. However, at a selenium application rate of 4 mg/kg^− 1, the arsenic content significantly decreased by 29%, while at a rate of 8 mg/kg^− 1, it increased significantly by 10%.

In conclusion, selenium application affects the absorption and accumulation of lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in sweet potatoes. The cadmium content in sweet potatoes significantly decreased, while the others increased to some extent.

3.3 Total selenium content

Figure 5(A) illustrates the accumulation of selenium under different treatments and the distribution ratio of selenium accumulation among the roots, stems, leaves, and tubers. The total selenium content in roots, stems, leaves, and tubers increases with the selenium concentration, with the highest total selenium content observed under the 16 mg/kg^− 1 treatment, at 0.0005, 0.0081, 0.0206, 0.0519, and 0.1033 mg, respectively, significantly higher than other treatments. Across different selenium concentrations, the order of accumulation is tubers > stems > leaves > roots, indicating that tubers are most efficient in selenium accumulation. These results suggest that the amount of selenium fertilizer has a specific impact on selenium accumulation in sweet potatoes, With the increase in soil selenium concentration, the selenium content in the roots, stems, leaves, and tubers of sweet potatoes significantly increases.

From Fig. 5(B), it is evident that there are significant differences in selenium absorption rates among sweet potatoes under different selenium treatments. Compared to the CK group, the selenium accumulation per plant increased by 20, 37, 99, and 159 times, respectively, when the selenium application rates were 4 mg/kg-1, 8 mg/kg-1, 12 mg/kg-1, and 16 mg/kg-1. Selenium accumulation increased with higher selenium application rates. Specifically, when the selenium application rate was 16 mg/kg-1, the selenium accumulation per plant reached its highest level.

3.4 Effect of soil selenium concentration on selenium components and utilization in tuber

The utilization efficiency of selenium indicates the effective absorption of selenium in crops. Before selenium application, the selenium utilization efficiency of sweet potatoes was 23%, indicating that less than half of the selenium was utilized. After selenium application, the selenium utilization efficiency of sweet potatoes increased by 35%, 33%, 58%, and 70%, respectively, suggesting that increasing soil selenium supply is an effective means of enhancing selenium utilization efficiency in sweet potatoes (Fig. 6A). These results underscore the significant impact of selenium treatment on selenium accumulation in sweet potatoes.

Irrespective of adding selenite or selenate to the soil, there were no detection of Se differences in the tubers with different treatments. However, the percentage of SeCys2, SeMeCys, SeMet, and unknowns were different in the experimental treatments (Fig. 6B). With an increase of soil Se concentration, the percentage of SeMeCys in tubers gradually decreased. In the treatment of Se16, the proportion of unknown components in tubers increased significantly.

Effect of selenium application on growth of sweet potato Nutritional research on selenium has become one of the key focuses of micronutrient studies worldwide, especially in European and American countries. The impact of different selenium application rates varies across plants.It has been reported that selenium fertilization can increase the chlorophyll content in plant leaves and the photosynthetic capacity of oats, thereby enhancing photosynthesis and increasing oat yield(Li et al. 2021);Selenium fertilizer has been shown to ameliorate sodium uptake in green bean plants under salt stress, enhancing the absorption of antioxidants and consequently increasing green bean yield. Additionally, it alleviates the adverse effects of drought on rapeseed(Ahmad et al. 2021; Kaur and Nayyar 2015) .

Wójcik et al. found that selenium fertilizer can positively enhance the quality and post-harvest storage tolerance of apples (Wójcik et al. 2024) .The results of this study indicate a positive correlation between the number of branches per plant, the longest vine length, the number of tubers per plant, and yield with the application of selenium, with the best performance observed at 16 mg/kg^− 1. Moderate application of selenium fertilizer can promote vine growth, increase branching, and enhance tuber formation, while excessive selenium application may reduce yield.

Effect of selenium application on nutritional quality of sweet potato

Selenium fertilizer not only enhances sweet potato yield but also improves its nutritional quality. Research by Zhu et al. demonstrates that an appropriate application of selenium fertilizer can increase the levels of sugars, organic acids, and amino acids in tomatoes (Zhu et al. 2018). Selenium fertilizer increases the wax on the surface of spring wheat, thereby reducing moisture loss and ensuring the taste of wheat (Zhang et al. 2024) .Selenium yeast increases the vitamin C content and free amino acids in broccoli(Gui et al. 2022). Selenium fertilizer increases the chlorophyll content, internode length, plant height, and ear height of upland maize (Wang et al. 2022). In this experiment, an appropriate amount of selenium application significantly increases the soluble sugar and starch content of sweet potatoes, while reducing the content of reducing sugar and protein. The soluble sugar content of sweet potatoes is highest at a selenium concentration of 8 mg/kg^− 1, while the protein and starch content are highest at a selenium concentration of 4 mg/kg^− 1.

Soil heavy metal content is related to plants(Pietrelli et al. 2022). Selenium, as a negatively charged non-metal ion, can bind with positively charged harmful metal ions in organisms, forming metal-selenium protein complexes. These complexes directly expel harmful metal ions that can induce carcinogenesis, thereby mitigating the toxicity of metal ions and serving a detoxifying and expelling function. Studies indicate that selenium reduces the harm of arsenic to rice plants, diminishes the migration of cadmium from roots to shoots in seedlings, thereby altering the growth of rice (Kumar et al. 2014; Wan et al. 2016) .The activation of PAL and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes by Se reduces the impact of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in Arabidopsis under chromium stress (Asgher et al. 2023; Handa et al. 2019; Hasanuzzaman et al. 2020) .In this experiment, it was observed that selenium application affects the absorption and accumulation of lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in sweet potatoes. While the cadmium content decreased significantly, the others showed an increase, indicating the need for further exploration of the dosage of selenium fertilizer.

The selenium content in plants typically ranges from 0.02 to 1.00 mg/kg^− 1, with plants grown in selenium-rich soil generally having selenium levels exceeding 2 mg/kg^− 1. Plant selenium content is largely determined by soil selenium levels, and selenium supplementation in soil can effectively increase plant selenium content. Xia et al(Xia et al. 2020) found that selenium application increased the uptake rate of selenium from roots to aboveground parts in purple-grain wheat, resulting in a higher translocation rate from aboveground parts to seeds. In certain regions with high selenium levels, plants exhibit increased selenium absorption, such as high-selenium rice varieties, which can uptake selenium from the soil and subsequently transfer it to the grains, thereby enhancing the selenium content in rice(Liu et al. 2012) .These findings suggest that soil selenium levels contribute to increasing crop selenium content. In this experiment, the total selenium content in roots, stems, leaves, and tubers increases with selenium concentration, with the highest total selenium content observed in the 16 mg/kg^− 1 treatment. Across different selenium concentrations, the order of total selenium content is tubers > stems > leaves > roots, indicating that tubers have the highest selenium content. It is therefore speculated that tubers, being closest to the soil, may have the easiest selenium absorption, resulting in the highest content.

Selenium application promotes the growth of sweet potatoes, improves their nutritional quality, and consequently enhances yield. Adequate selenium application increases the number of branches, the length of vines, the number of tubers per plant, and overall yield of sweet potatoes. The optimal effect is observed at a selenium dosage of 16 mg/kg^− 1, where the number of branches, the length of vines, and the number of tubers per plant are maximized. Simultaneously, selenium application can alter the nutritional quality and metal content of sweet potatoes. With the increase in selenium concentration, the accumulation of selenium among the roots, stems, leaves, and tubers also gradually increases.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Project (No. 32060469),

Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Project (CARS-10-C17),

Special Funding Project for Basic Research Business of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Guinongke 2021YT022; Guinongke 2023YM02),

Science and Technology Development Fund Project of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Guinongke 2021ZX09; Guinongke 2021ZX13),

Guangxi Natural Science Foundation General Project (No. 2022GXNSFAA035558),

Guangxi Key Research and Development Plan (No. 2023AB19019).

Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of this study. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Huifeng Li ,Yanqing Li ,Yongmei Huang ,Jingfeng Hua and Jie Yin. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Y Huifeng Li and Yixuan Zhang, reviewed and revised by Dong Xiao. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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01 Aug, 2024
Reviewers invited by journal
20 Jul, 2024
Editor assigned by journal
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28 Jun, 2024

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The impact of selenium fertilizer application on the yield, quality, and selenium accumulation characteristics of various sweet potato varieties

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