Abstract: Tibet is a notably Se-deficient region in that it negatively affects the health among local residents. Hulless or “naked” barley or barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.), as a stable food, is widely grown in Tibet, and Se-biofortification of hulless barley could be a feasible way to increase dietary Se intake. Moreover, great attention is paid by scientists at home and abroad. However, the study on the effect of Se-biofortification on hulless barley in Tibet has not yet been reported. Status of soil Se, hulless barley production and Se content of hulless barley, and the production pathways on Se-enriched hulless barley in Tibet were discussed. (1) Previous studies identified the total soil Se content and distribution of Tibet. In Tibet, average soil total Se content was (0.150±0.084) mg·kg^-1, which was half of that of China’s soils [(0.290±0.255) mg·kg^-1]. Se-deficient soils were largely distributed in the north of the Yalu Zangbu River of Tibet, and total soil Se content was less than 0.1 mg·kg^-1, while high-Se soils were normally located in the opposite area, and total soil Se content was more than 0.3 mg·kg^-1, such as Gangba County, Tsome County, Lhuntse County, and Tsona County. (2) Although, the planting area and production of hulless barley of Tibet was 1.2×10⁵ hm² and 6.2×10⁵ ton, accounted for 21% and 29% of China’s barley planting area and production, the average grain Se content of hulless barley was 0.02 mg·kg^-1, while the average Se content of feedstuff was 0.03 mg·kg^-1, i.e., straw of hulless barley, and the blood Se content of livestock of Tibet was also lower than the critical level. The estimated Se intake through hulless barley consumption was 8 μg? person^-1?d^-1 for Tibetan, while total dietary Se intake (10-16 μg?person^-1?d^-1) was far behind the recommendation, even if the Se intakes by meat, milk, and vegetables were included. (3) Considering the high altitude and complex climate of Tibet, the problems and corresponding solutions, such as optimization of Se fertilizer amount in different production areas, the different response in grain Se content of hulless barley with foliar application and nature soil condition, and planning and utilization of high-Se soils of Tibet were proposed. Se-biofortification could be of benefit to increase the quality of crops and livestock and to improve the health of the Tibetan people.

Key words: hulless barley, Tibet, soil selenium content, Se application rate, Se-efficient hulless barley cultivars