Selenium enrichment pattern in flowering Chinese cabbage, cabbage and asparagus

CONCLUSIONS - Within a certain range, selenium accumulation in three studied vegetables was lineally correlated with spraying concentration. However, a too high concentration caused the reduction of vegetable output and damage in quality. - Twice spraying with lower concentration of selenium was a better option to improve selenium enrichment efficiency. - Proper adjustment of pH could improve selenium absorption. - Selenium could be transported to other parts of the vegetable, as a recyclable element. - Spraying timing for cabbage did not affect the percentage of organic selenium content, but spraying at later growth phase had higher selenium accumulation. - It is well known that Cruciferae plants and Allium genus plants have higher ability to absorb selenium which is seen in the present study as higher Se concentrations in cabbage and flowering Chinese cabbage.