Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter

Around 30% of the world’s population suffers from either a lack of one or more essential micronutrients, or the overconsumption of these minerals, which causes toxicity. Selenium (Se) is a particularly important micronutrient component of the diet with a well-documented and wide-ranging role in main...

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Main Authors: R. Garcia Moreno, R. Burdock, María Cruz Díaz Álvarez, J. W. Crawford
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/283468
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author R. Garcia Moreno
R. Burdock
María Cruz Díaz Álvarez
J. W. Crawford
author_facet R. Garcia Moreno
R. Burdock
María Cruz Díaz Álvarez
J. W. Crawford
author_sort R. Garcia Moreno
collection DOAJ
description Around 30% of the world’s population suffers from either a lack of one or more essential micronutrients, or the overconsumption of these minerals, which causes toxicity. Selenium (Se) is a particularly important micronutrient component of the diet with a well-documented and wide-ranging role in maintaining health. However, this important micronutrient can be lacking because soil and crop management are focused on high yields to the detriment of the quality of crops required to ensure a healthy human diet. Currently around 15% of the global population has selenium deficiency. This paper focuses on Se availability in semiarid soils and how micronutrients can be effectively managed through the recycling of organic matter. Because many mineral reserves are being exploited unsustainably, we review the advantages of using organic by-products for the management of the biofortification of Se in crops. This type of practice is particularly useful in arid and semiarid environments because organic matter acts as a reservoir for Se, preventing bioaccumulation and leaching. There are also potential local economic benefits from using organic by-products, such as manures and sewage sludge.
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spelling doaj-art-1d470ced64b942e6aaeb334fe08ab86c2025-08-20T03:54:38ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752013-01-01201310.1155/2013/283468283468Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic MatterR. Garcia Moreno0R. Burdock1María Cruz Díaz Álvarez2J. W. Crawford3Faculty of Sciences, University of La Coruña, Zapateira, 15001 A Coruña, SpainJudith and David Coffey Chair, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney, Suite 411 Biomedical Building, 1 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, Sydney, NSW 2015, AustraliaCEIGRAM (Centre for Studies and Research on Agricultural and Environmental Risk Management), School of Agricultural Engineering, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/N, 28040 Madrid, SpainJudith and David Coffey Chair, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney, Suite 411 Biomedical Building, 1 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, Sydney, NSW 2015, AustraliaAround 30% of the world’s population suffers from either a lack of one or more essential micronutrients, or the overconsumption of these minerals, which causes toxicity. Selenium (Se) is a particularly important micronutrient component of the diet with a well-documented and wide-ranging role in maintaining health. However, this important micronutrient can be lacking because soil and crop management are focused on high yields to the detriment of the quality of crops required to ensure a healthy human diet. Currently around 15% of the global population has selenium deficiency. This paper focuses on Se availability in semiarid soils and how micronutrients can be effectively managed through the recycling of organic matter. Because many mineral reserves are being exploited unsustainably, we review the advantages of using organic by-products for the management of the biofortification of Se in crops. This type of practice is particularly useful in arid and semiarid environments because organic matter acts as a reservoir for Se, preventing bioaccumulation and leaching. There are also potential local economic benefits from using organic by-products, such as manures and sewage sludge.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/283468
spellingShingle R. Garcia Moreno
R. Burdock
María Cruz Díaz Álvarez
J. W. Crawford
Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
title Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
title_full Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
title_fullStr Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
title_full_unstemmed Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
title_short Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter
title_sort managing the selenium content in soils in semiarid environments through the recycling of organic matter
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/283468
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AT rburdock managingtheseleniumcontentinsoilsinsemiaridenvironmentsthroughtherecyclingoforganicmatter
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