SELENIUM FERTILIZATION INFLUENCES BIOMASS,ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATIONS,AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS IN WATERCRESS |
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Authors: | Laura K Manion David E Kopsell Dean A Kopsell Carl E Sams Robert L Rhykerd |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Agriculture , Illinois State University , Normal , Illinois , USA;2. Plant Sciences Department , The University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA |
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Abstract: | Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) produces carotenoids and sulfur-containing glucosinolates (GSs) beneficial to human health. Selenium (Se) imparts dietary health properties and substitutes for S in plant biochemical pathways. Experimental objectives were to determine the influence of Se fertilization on 1) biomass, 2) elemental accumulations, 3) carotenoids, and 4) glucosinolates in watercress leaf and shoot tissues. Watercress was greenhouse grown in solution culture with Se treatments of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg Se L?1, delivered as sodium selenate (Na2SeO4). Fresh and dry biomass were unaffected while shoot tissue Se (P = 0.057) and S (P = 0.003) increased linearly in response to increasing Se treatments. Linear decreases were measured for β-carotene (P = 0.017) and lutein (P = 0.018) in response to increasing Se. Total levels of GS increased, then decreased quadratically (P = 0.003). Results indicate that Se supplementation can increase Se tissue concentrations and GS in watercress; however, carotenoids were negatively affected. |
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Keywords: | β-carotene gluconasturtiin HPLC ICP isothiocyanate lutein selenate sulfur |
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