Interaction between sulfur and selenium in agronomic biofortification of cowpea plants under field conditions

Aims Selenium (Se) as selenate shares similarities with sulfate in transport and assimilation by plants. Uptake and assimilation of Se might be affected by S and vice-versa, which could affect Se and S concentration in plant tissues, and metabolic pathways such as biosynthesis of sugars, amino acids, and storage proteins. This study aimed to evaluate Se and S combination on cowpea plants under field conditions. Methods The experimental design was a 4 × 4 interaction between four rates of Se (0, 10, 25, and 50 g ha − 1 ) and four rates of S (0, 15, 30, and 60 kg ha − 1 ) in two consecutive years of cowpea cultivation. Concentrations of Se, S, total sugars, sucrose, total free amino acids, and storage proteins in plant tissue were measured. Results The Se x S interaction did not affect cowpea yield or growth. Antagonistic effects of S on Se concentrations in leaves and seeds were observed mainly for the second crop season. Selenium did not decrease S concentrations in leaves and seeds of cowpea plants. The combination of 25 g Se ha − 1 and 30 kg S ha − 1 provided the greater concentrations of total sugars. Interaction between Se and S was associated with greater sucrose, amino acids, and storage proteins concentrations in cowpea seeds. Conclusions The Se and S interaction did not impair plant growth but application of S decreased Se content in cowpea. Further studies are needed to better understand the physiological roles of Se and S combination in producing primary metabolic compounds.