Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Selenium Accumulating Plants
Selenium accumulator plant is:
- Astragalus — Correct Answer
- Leucaena
- Zea mays
- Babool
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Astragalus
Certain plant species are obligate selenium hyperaccumulators that actively concentrate selenium from the soil to levels of up to 10,000 ppm. The most important genus is Astragalus (locoweed / milk vetch), whose ingestion by grazing livestock causes Blind staggers (acute) and Alkali disease (chronic selenium toxicity).
Selenium Toxicity vs Deficiency — Quick Summary
| Type | Disease | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Se toxicity | Blind staggers (from Astragalus) | All livestock |
| Chronic Se toxicity | Alkali disease; Degnala disease (Punjab & Haryana) | Cattle |
| Se deficiency | White muscle disease, Stiff lamb, Mulberry heart, Exudative diathesis | Lambs, calves, pigs, poultry |
Note
- Degnala disease: dry gangrene of face, tail & hooves — chronic selenium toxicity in Punjab & Haryana
- Selenium metalloenzyme: Glutathione peroxidase
- Vitamin E and Selenium: Synergistic effect
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.