Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
ASPHC Baner

ONLINE FIRST

Research paper

Effects of foliar sprays of iodine and selenium on vegetative, reproductive, and fruit responses of Kordia sweet cherry

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2026.5668
Submitted: 17 February 2026
Published: 29.06.2026

Abstract

Iodine (I) and selenium (Se) deficiency in the human body constitutes a significant health, social, and economic challenge. This study aimed to examine the effects of sprays of I and Se, applied alone or combined, on vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality, and fruit biofortification of Kordia sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). The trees were sprayed with: (i) I and/or Se, four times in the early season at rates of 25 g ha–1 and 15 g ha–1 per spray, respectively; (ii) I and Se, once, 3 days before harvest, at rates of 50–100 g ha–1 and 30–60 g ha–1, respectively; and (iii) I and Se in the early season as in combination (i), plus before harvest as in combination (ii), using the lowest rates of these nutrients. It was found that none of the spray combinations affected tree vigour, fruit yield, mean fruit weight, and fruit firmness and acidity. Early-season Se sprays delayed leaf fall and increased both chlorophyll level in leaves and soluble solid concentration in fruit. Pre-harvest spray treatments decreased leaf chlorophyll concentration, and caused leaf damage and defoliation. The highest amounts of I and Se in fruit were found in trees sprayed with these nutrients in the early season plus before harvest. Lower efficiency in biofortifying fruit with I and Se was observed for early-season sprays and for pre-harvest spray applied at the highest rates of I and Se. It is concluded that early-season sprays, alone or combined with a pre-harvest spray of I and Se, can be recommended for late-ripening sweet cherry cultivars.

References

  1. Ali, F., Peng, Q., Wang, D. et al. (2017). Effects of selenite and selenate application on distribution and transformation of selenium fractions in soil and its bioavailability for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int., 24, 8315–8325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8512-9
  2. Blando, F., Oomah, D.B. (2019). Sweet and sour cherries: origin, distribution, nutritional composition and health benefits. Trends Food Sci. Technol., 86, 517–529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.02.052
  3. Broadley, M.R., White, P.J., Bryson, R.J. et al. (2006). Biofortification of UK food crops with selenium. Proc. Nutr. Soc., 65, 169–181. https://doi.org/10.1079/PNS2006490
  4. Budke, C., Dierend, W., Schön, H.G. et al. (2021). Iodine biofortification of apples and pears in an orchard using foliar sprays of different composition. Front. Plant Sci., 12, 638671. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.638671
  5. Budke, C., Mühling, K.H., Daum, D. (2020). Iodine uptake and translocation in apple trees grown under protected cultivation. J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci., 183, 468–481. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.202000099
  6. Cakmak, I., Prom-u-thai, C., Guilherme, L.R.G. et al. (2017). Iodine biofortification of wheat, rice and maize through fertilizer strategy. Plant Soil, 418, 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3295-9
  7. Czarnocka, A., Broniarek-Niemiec, A., Bryk, H., Głos, H., Masny, S., Michalecka, M., Poniatowska, A., Puławska, J., Sekrecka, M., Sobiczewski, P., et al. (2023). Program ochrony roślin sadowniczych [Program of protection of fruit crops]. Viridia, Warszawa.
  8. Deng, X.F., Zhao, Z.Q., Han, Z.Y. et al. (2019). Selenium uptake and fruit quality of pear (Pyrus communis L.) treated with foliar Se application. J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci., 182(4), 637–646. https://doi.org/10.1002/JPLN.201800295
  9. Díaz-Mula, H.M., Castillo, S., Martínez-Romero, D. et al. (2010). Sensory, nutritive and functional properties of sweet cherry as affected by cultivar and ripening stage. Food Sci. Technol. Int., 15(6), 535–543. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013209351868
  10. Dong, J.Z., Wang, Y., Wang, S.H. et al. (2013). Selenium increases chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll and carotenoids of Lycium chinense leaves. J. Sci. Food Agric., 93(2), 310–315. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.5758
  11. Duborská, E., Matulová, M., Vaculovič, T. et al. (2021). Iodine fractions in soil and their determination. Forests, 12, 1512. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111512
  12. Eich-Greatorex, S., Sogn, T.A., Øgaard, A.F. et al. (2007). Plant availability of inorganic and organic selenium fertiliser as influenced by soil organic matter content and pH. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst., 79, 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-007-9109-3
  13. European Commission (2011). EU Regulation No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. Available: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/2025-04-01 [date of access: 10.01.2026].
  14. Fageria, N.K., Filho, M.P.B., Moreira, A. et al. (2009). Foliar fertilization of crop plants. J. Plant Nutr., 32(6), 1044–1064. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160902872826
  15. Fernández, V., Eichert, T. (2009). Uptake of hydrophilic solutes through plant leaves: current state of knowledge and perspectives of foliar fertilization. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci., 28(1–2), 36–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352680902743069
  16. Godyń, A., Świechowski, W., Doruchowski, G. et al. (2025). Spray deposition, drift and equipment contamination for drone and conventional orchard spraying under European conditions. Agriculture, 15(23), 2467. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232467
  17. Gonzali, S., Kiferle, C., Perata, P. (2017). Iodine biofortification of crops: agronomic biofortification, metabolic engineering and iodine bioavailability. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol., 44, 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2016.10.004
  18. Gupta, M., Gupta, S. (2017). An overview of selenium uptake, metabolism, and toxicity in plants. Front. Plant Sci., 7, 2074. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.02074
  19. Habib, M., Bhat, M., Dar, B.N. et al. (2017). Sweet cherries from farm to table: a review. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr., 57(8), 1638–1649. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1005831
  20. Hartikainen, H. (2005). Biogeochemistry of selenium and its impact on food chain quality and human health. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol., 18(4), 309–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2005.02.009
  21. Hatch-McChesney, A., Lieberman, H.R. (2022). Iodine and iodine deficiency: a comprehensive review of a re-emerging issue. Nutrients, 14(17), 3474. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173474
  22. Hawrylak-Nowak, B. (2008). Enhanced selenium content in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by foliar fertilization. Veg. Crops Res. Bull., 69(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10032-008-0021-4
  23. Hawrylak-Nowak, B. (2013). Comparative effects of selenite and selenate on growth and selenium accumulation in lettuce plants under hydroponic conditions. Plant Growth Regul., 70, 149–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-013-9788-5
  24. Instytut Żywności i Żywienia (2017). Normy żywienia dla populacji Polski [Nutrition standards for the Polish population]. IŻŻ, Warszawa.
  25. Ittermann, T., Albrecht, D., Arohonka, P. et al. (2020). Standardized map of iodine status in Europe. Thyroid, 30(9), 1346–1354. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2019.0353
  26. Kabata-Pendias, A., Pendias, H. (1999). Biogeochemia pierwiastków śladowych [Biogeochemistry of rare nutrients]. 2nd ed. PWN, Warszawa.
  27. Kannan, S. (2010). Foliar fertilization for sustainable crop production. In: Lichtfouse, E. (ed.). Genetic engineering, biofertilisation, soil quality and organic farming. Sustainable agriculture reviews, vol. 4. Springer, Dordrecht, 371–402. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8741-6_13
  28. Khan, Z., Thounaojam, T.C., Chowdhury, D. et al. (2023). The role of selenium and nano selenium on physiological responses in plant: a review. Plant Growth Regul., 100, 409–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-023-00988-0
  29. Kunachowicz, H., Przygoda, B., Nadolna, I. et al. (2017). Tabele składu i wartości odżywczej żywności [Tables of food composition and nutritional values]. PZWL, Warszawa.
  30. Lopes, G., Ávila, F.W., Guilherme, L.R.G. (2017). Selenium behavior in the soil environment and its implication for human health. Cienc. Agrotec., 41, 605–615. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-70542017416000517
  31. Lyons, G., Stangoulis, J., Graham, R. (2003). High-selenium wheat: biofortification for better health. Nutr. Res. Rev., 16(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1079/NRR200255
  32. Malorgio, F., Diaz, K.E., Ferrante, A. et al. (2009). Effects of selenium addition on minimally processed leafy vegetables grown in floating system. J. Sci. Food Agric., 89(13), 2243–2251. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3714
  33. Martens, D.A., Suarez, D.L. (1997). Selenium speciation of soil/sediment determined with sequential extraction and hydride generation atomic absorption. Environ. Sci. Technol., 31(1), 133–139. https://doi.org/10.1021/es960214+
  34. Medrano-Macias, J., Leija-Martinez, P., Gonzalez-Morales, S. et al. (2016). Use of iodine to biofortify and promote growth and stress tolerance in crops. Front. Plant Sci., 7, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01146
  35. Oumer, A., Joy, E.J.M., De Groote, H. et al. (2024). Burden of selenium deficiency and cost-effectiveness of selenium agronomic biofortification of staple cereals in Ethiopia. Br. J. Nutr., 132(8), 1110–1122. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114524001235
  36. Oztekin, Y., Buyuktuncer, Z. (2025). Agronomic biofortification of plants with iodine and selenium: a potential solution for iodine and selenium deficiencies. Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 203, 2899–2910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04346-7
  37. Pappa, E.C., Pappas, A.C., Surai, P.F. (2006). Selenium content in selected foods from the Greek market and estimation of the daily intake. Sci. Total Environ., 372(1), 100–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.08.008
  38. Pezzarossa, B., Remorini, D., Gentile, M.L. et al. (2012). Effects of foliar and fruit addition of sodium selenate on selenium accumulation and fruit quality. J. Sci. Food Agric., 92(4), 781–786. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.4644
  39. Polish Committee for Standardization (2008). PN-EN 15111. Foodstuffs – determination of trace elements – determination of iodine by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry).
  40. Polish Committee for Standardization (2012). PN-EN 16159. Animal feeding stuffs – determination of selenium by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) after microwave digestion (digestion with 65% nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide).
  41. Prom-u-thai, C., Rashid, A., Ram, H. et al. (2020). Simultaneous biofortification of rice with zinc, iodine, iron and selenium through foliar treatment of a micronutrient cocktail in five countries. Front. Plant Sci., 11, 589835. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.589835
  42. Quero-García, J., Schuster, M., López-Ortega, G. et al. (2017). Sweet cherry varieties and improvement. In: Quero-García, J., Iezzoni, A., Puławska, J. et al. (eds.), Cherries. Botany, production and uses. CABI, Croydon, UK, 60–94.
  43. Rayman, M.P. (2000). The importance of selenium to human health. Lancet, 356(9225), 233–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02490-9
  44. Saffaryazdi, A., Lahouti, M., Ganjeali, A. et al. (2012). Impact of selenium supplementation on growth and selenium accumulation on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plants. Not. Sci. Biol., 4(4), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.15835/NSB448029
  45. Shahid, N.M., Niazi, N.K., Khalid, S. et al. (2018). A critical review of selenium biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant system with an inference to human health. Environ. Pollut., 234, 915–934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.019
  46. Serra, A.T., Duarte, R.O., Bronze, M.R. et al. (2011). Identification of bioactive response in traditional cherries from Portugal. Food Chem., 125(2), 318–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.07.088
  47. Sitarek, M. (2004). Uprawa czereśni karłowych [Growing of dwarf sweet cherry]. Plantpress, Kraków.
  48. Smoleń, S., Baranski, R., Ledwożyw-Smoleń, I. et al. (2019a). Combined biofortification of carrot with iodine and selenium. Food Chem., 300, 125202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125202
  49. Smoleń, S., Kowalska, I., Kovácik P. et al. (2019b). Biofortification of six varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with iodine and selenium in combination with the application of salicylic acid. Front. Plant Sci., 10, 143. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00143
  50. Song, T., Su, X., He, J. et al. (2018). Selenium uptake and dynamic changes of Se content in soil-plant systems. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int., 25, 34343–34350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3373-4
  51. Stroud, J.L., Broadley, M.R., Foot, I. et al. (2010). Soil factors affecting selenium concentration in wheat grain and the fate and speciation of Se fertilisers applied to soil. Plant Soil, 332, 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0229-1
  52. Wen, M., Wang, P., Gao, W. et al. (2021). Effects of foliar spraying with different concentrations of selenium fertilizer on the development, nutrient absorption, and quality of citrus fruits. HortScience, 56(11), 1363–1367. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16074-21
  53. Weng, H., Yan, A., Hong, C. et al. (2009). Biogeochemical transfer and dynamics of iodine in a soil-plant system. Environ. Geochem. Health., 31, 401–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-008-9193-6
  54. Whitehead, D.C. (1984). The distribution and transformation of iodine in the environment. Environ. Int., 10(4), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(84)90139-9
  55. White, P.J., Broadley, M.R. (2009). Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets – iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine. New Phytol., 182(1), 49–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02738.x
  56. Wójcik, P. (2009). Nawozy i nawożenie drzew owocowych [Fertilisers and fertilization of fruit trees]. Hortpress, Warszawa.
  57. Wójcik, P. (2023). Effects of preharvest sprays of iodine, selenium and calcium on apple biofortification and their quality and storability. PLoS ONE, 18, e0282873. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282873
  58. Wójcik, P. (2024). Response of Burlat sweet cherry trees to selenium fertilisation under low soil selenium conditions. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 24, 8343–8352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-02119-8
  59. Wójcik, P., Filipczak, J., Wójcik, M. (2024). Impact of selenium fertilisation of Red Jonaprince apple trees on selenium nutrition and fruit quality and storability. Sci. Hortic., 327, 112871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.112871
  60. Wójcik, P., Gubbuk, H., Akgül, H. et al. (2009). Effect of autumn calcium spray at a high rate on Granny Smith apple quality and storability. J. Plant Nutr., 33, 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160903391073
  61. Wójcik, P., Skorupińska, A., Filipczak, J. (2014). Impacts of preharvest fall sprays of calcium chloride at high rates on quality and Conference pear storability. Sci. Hortic., 168, 51–57, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2014.01.017
  62. Wójcik, P., Wójcik, M. (2021). Preharvest iodine sprays at high rates are more effective in biofortification of apples than soil application. Plant Soil, 465, 317–334 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04992-z
  63. Yanai, J., Mizuhara, S., Yamada, H. (2015). Soluble selenium content of agricultural soils in Japan and its determining factors with reference to soil type, land use and region. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 61, 312–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2014.997147
  64. Yläranta, T. (1983). Selenium in Finnish agricultural soils. Ann. Agr. Fenn., 22, 122–136.
  65. Zhang, Y., Cao, H., Wang, M. et al. (2023). A review of iodine in plants with biofortification: uptake, accumulation, transportation, function, and toxicity. Sci. Total Environ., 878, 163203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163203
  66. Zhang, Z., Su, D., Shang, R. et al. (2025). Effect of exogenous selenium on selenium content, quality and antioxidant of cherry (Prunus avium Mei Zao). J. Food Composit. Anal., 148, 108464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108464

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

<< < 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.