ABSTRACT
Selenium (Se) is a trace element with multiple biological functions. Low Se dietary intakes can result in health disorders and some diseases, such as reduced fertility and immune function, increased risk of cancers, and thyroid and cardiovascular diseases. Biofortification with Se is considered an effective approach for addressing the human Se deficiency status. The chapter aims to assess evaluate the effects of soil selenium content on agronomic characters, quality, and yield of sweet potato grown in soil enriched with different forms of Se. Contents of soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starches and proteins of the Se treatments was statistically significant from those of the control. The Se content in the roots, stems, leaves and tubers of sweet potato increased significantly with an increase of soil Se concentration. The results showed that soil Se content had different effects on plant characteristics, quality indexes, Se, and heavy metal contents of sweet potato plants.
