Soil and wheat grain selenium content in the vicinity of Koprivnica (Croatia).

This paper describes the findings of selenium measurement in three types of soil (semigley, pseudogley and hypogley) and in wheat grain cultivated in these types of soil in the vicinity of Koprivnica using hydrid atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed relatively low selenium levels in all three types of soil (145-333 micrograms Se/kg dry weight) as well as the wheat grain (22-62 micrograms Se/kg dry weight). The analysis of covariance suggested that the concentration of selenium in soil, pH in KCl, and K2O affect the concentration of selenium in wheat grain. After the analysis was repeated using only selenium in soil, pH in KCl, and K2O as covariates, the selenium content in wheat grain was found to vary significantly with the type of soil. Although this study was performed in a small area in relation to the area of the country, it may be a good starting point for further investigation of selenium in Croatia.