1 Selenium Concentration in Fodder Crops as Affected by the Application of Gypsum and Phosphate Fertilizer Selenium Concentration in Fodder Crops as Affected by the Application of Gypsum and Phosphate Fertilizer © 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved. * xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India. E-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ** xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India. E-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx *** xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India. E-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Introduction Selenium is not an essential element for plant growth, but its level in the diet affects the health of animals and humans. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, USA (1980) has accepted 5 mg Se kg –1 diet (dry wt. basis) as the critical level between toxic and nontoxic feeds. Consumption of Se-rich feed is seriously affecting the health of animals and human beings in some parts of Punjab (Dhillon and Dhillon, 1997). Soils containing as low as 0.5 mg Se kg –1 can produce fodder containing toxic levels of Se (Dhillon et al., 1992). The transfer of Se from soil through plants to food is governed by many soil-related factors, including the presence of other ions such as S, P or Fe in the soil solution (Mikkelsen et al., 1989). The classical antagonistic relationship between M J Singh*, S K Dhillon** and K S Dhillon*** Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of gypsum and phosphate fertilizer on selenium concentration in berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) crops in the seleniferous region of Punjab. Sulphur was applied through gypsum at 0, 4, 8 and 12 q ha –1 and phosphorus at 0, 60, 90 and 120 kg P 2 O 5 ha –1 through di-ammonium phosphate. Selenium concentration in berseem and sorghum decreased significantly with the application of 8 and 12 q gypsum ha –1 . In different cuts of berseem, the decrease in Se concentration varied from 39% to 49% with the application of 12 q gypsum ha –1 . The effectiveness of gypsum decreased, as the growth of berseem advanced towards maturity. No consistent changes in Se concentration of fodder crops were observed with the application of phosphate fertilizer. The results suggest that gypsum application to seleniferous soils may be an economically viable option for reducing Se accumulation by forage crops. However, there is a need to further verify the role of P in regulating Se uptake by different crops. Keywords: Se content, Gypsum, Phosphorus, Berseem, Sorghum RA: pl provide designations & e-mail ids of the authors + identify the corresponding author.