Comparison of physiological and biochemical responses of wheat and barley to Selenium by spraying application under rain fed conditions

This study investigated the effect of two forms of Se at three rates (0, 18, and 36 g/ha) on wheat and barley under rain fed conditions. Results showed that spraying application of 18 g/ha Se increased Chl a and Chl a contents while the selenium rate 36 g/ha decreased plant pigments. Evaluations of Chl a, Chl b, chlorophyll total a, carotenoids, chlorophyll total content, relative water content, and grain yield were higher in barley than in wheat. Foliar applications of selenate and selenite increased relative water content and decreased electrolyte leakage and MDA content in both plants but applying only Se increased catalase activity. The effect of sodium selenate on catalase activity was more than that of sodium selenite in both barley and wheat. Treatments had no significant effect on the glutathione content. In the plants treated with foliar application of 18 g/ha Se, grain yield increased by 6.3% compared with the control. It was concluded that foliar application of 18 g/ha sodium selenate or sodium selenite presents a good antioxidant chemical for improved physiological and biochemical characteristics for both wheat and barley grain yield under semi-arid or arid conditions.