Spraying foliar selenium fertilizer on quality of table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) from different source varieties

•Se content of grape berries was increased by organic Se fertilizer application.•Se fertilizer increased K and Ca content in grape berries and the nutrition quality.•Spraying Se fertilizer was an effective means to lower heavy metals in grape berries.•European and American species were easier to absorb Se than Eurasian species.

Table grape is a fruit well suited for consumption as fresh-cut product. Selenium (Se) is an essential mineral nutrient for human growth, and Se-deficiency is a worldwide nutrition problem. Meanwhile, with Se-enriched fruits is becoming more and more popularity, improving Se content and fruit quality in grape is especially important for human health. Se content of grape berries was increased by Se fertilizer application, the maximum Se content and raise ratio of European and American species was 34.96 ug kg−1 FW and 36.88% respectively, higher than those of Eurasian species 19.46 ug kg−1 FW and 21.40%. In addition, Se fertilizer increased nutrition quality, including soluble sugar, Vc, soluble protein, soluble solid, reduced organic acid, while it had no effect on polyphenol antioxidants of Eurasian species. K and Ca content of grape berries was significantly increased, and reduced accumulation of heavy metals Pb, Cr, Cd, As, Ni. Se in fruits was positively related to fruit quality, and negatively correlation of heavy metals. In conclusion, Se fertilizer can be used to increase Se content of grape, especially for European and American species, with significant effect of increasing grape nutrition quality and an effective means of lowering heavy metals.