Study on the Effect of Selenium‐rich Foliar Fertilizer on the Growth of Chinese Wolfberry Based on High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT A sensitive and straightforward method for determining various species of selenium (Se) in Chinese wolfberry and Se‐rich foliar fertilizers was established using high‐performance liquid chromatography—inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The application of this method proved effective in quantifying both organic and inorganic Se in 64 batches of Chinese wolfberry and their soaking solutions, along with five types of foliar fertilizer. This investigation revealed notable variations in the Se content among different batches of Chinese wolfberry, with selenomethionine (SeMet) emerging as the predominant form. Furthermore, the application of Se‐enriched foliar fertilizer led to the deposition of surface Se residues on the surface of Chinese wolfberry, primarily in the form of Se(VI) and Se(IV). This observation has implications for the proportion of organic Se in the plants (Chinese wolfberry), as organic Se, particularly SeMet, exhibits greater bioavailability and lower toxicity than its inorganic counterparts. Therefore, augmenting the organic Se content in the plant may confer greater benefits for the utilization of Chinese wolfberry in promoting human health.