Application of selenium and iodine on vegetative traits, yield and nutritional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea Linn)

Subject Areas : Sustainable production technologies

Amirali Eslamiparvar ¹ , Mehdi Hosseini Farahi ² , Sedigheh Amiri ³ , Mohsen Radi ⁴

1 - PhD student, Department of Horticultural Science, Yas. C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Yas. C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran
3 - Assistant Professor of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Yasouj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasouj, Iran.
4 - Assistant Professor of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Yasouj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasouj, Iran.

Received: 2025-03-27 Accepted : 2025-05-17 Published : 2025-06-21

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Biofortification, Yield, Quality, Thyroid.,

Abstract :

Objective: Spinach (Spinacia oleracea Linn) is a plant belonged to cruciferous vegetables. Spinach can be widely used raw (salads), in processed foods, or as an ingredient in vegetable and meat dishes. This plant is a good source of vitamins B, K, C, and A, folic acid, minerals such as manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, and selenium, as well as dietary fiber.

Material and methods: In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of iodine and selenium on the yield and biofortification of spinach, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Dehdasht city. The experimental factors included control (no foliar application), combined treatments of selenium and iodine at selenium concentrations of 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/L, and iodine at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/L.

Results: The results of this study showed that enrichment with selenium and iodine 5 mg/L increased plant height (by 19%), leaf area index (by 47%), petiole length (by 20.3 cm), leaf length (by 16.5 cm), leaf diameter (by 11.6 cm), selenium content (by 63.57 ng/g), iodine (13.69 ng/g) and enrichment with selenium 2.5 and iodine 1 mg/L increased the number of leaves (by 20 per plant) and yield (by 60.07 tons) compared to unsprayed plants.

Conclusion: The results clearly show that enrichment of spinach with selenium and iodine led to a significant increase in plant growth parameters. This improvement in growth parameters is of great importance as it contributes to the overall vigor and health of the plant, which can lead to increased yield and better quality. From a consumer perspective, these fortified spinach leaves can be very useful and practical as an additional source of iodine and selenium.

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