黑麦草对硒的吸收、分配与累积

用营养液培养方法研究了黑麦草(Lolium.multiflorum,Lamaubada)对硒的吸收、分配和累积特征以及硒对黑麦草生物量的影响,以探讨黑麦草对硒的吸收和利用规律。结果表明,不同SeO32--Se浓度处理的黑麦草在不同生育期的硒含量大小顺序均表现为分蘗期拔节期抽穗期苗期,且其差异在低硒浓度([Se4+]0.05.mg／L)时表现不明显,在非中毒范围内,黑麦草体内含硒量随供硒水平的提高而增加。在不同硒浓度处理中,黑麦草不同器官的硒含量大小顺序均为根叶茎,黑麦草吸收的SeO32--Se大部分在根部累积,少部分转移到茎与叶中,SeR／SeL3,SeR／Ses4。当营养液中加入低浓度硒([Se4+]=0-0.1.mg／L)时促进了黑麦草的生长,其生物量随外源硒浓度的增大而增加;高浓度硒([Se4+]1.0.mg／L)时抑制黑麦草的生长甚至引起中毒死亡。抽穗期黑麦草对硒的阶段累积率最大,达40.42％。     

Effects of selenium as a beneficial element on growth and photosynthetic attributes of greenhouse cucumber

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for human and livestock with antioxidant and anticancer characteristics. Although Se is not an essential element for plants, it has been reported that it can improve plant growth. This experiment was conducted at the Isfahan University of Technology in winter 2010. The experiment was factorial based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Se was added to nutrient solution in four concentrations 2, 4, and 6 mg/L sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃). Root volume, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, number and weight of fruits, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis traits [photosynthesis rate, stomata internal carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, stomata conductance] were measured. Results showed that Se increased root dry weight. Fresh and dry weights of shoot increased in the 2 mg/L Se treatment and decreased at the higher level of Se. Chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate were not affected by Se. Stomata internal CO₂ concentration and stomata conductance decreased by Se addition. Overall, Se at 2 mg/L application rate was effective in some physiological characteristics of cucumber.     

Uptake and remobilization of selenium in Brassica napus L. plants supplied with selenate or selenium‐enriched plant residues

Selenium (Se) biofortification via crops is one of the best strategies to elevate the daily Se intake in areas where soil Se levels are low. However, Se fertilizer recovery (SeFR) is low and most of the Se taken up accumulates in non‐harvested plant parts and returns to the soil with plant residues. A pot experiment with soil was undertaken to study the efficiency of inorganic Se (Na₂SeO₄) and Se‐enriched plant residues for biofortification, as well as to identify the bottlenecks in Se utilization by Brassica napus L. The soil was fertilized with Na₂SeO₄ (0 and 7 µg Se kg^?1) or with Se in stem or leaf residues (0 and 7 µg Se kg^?1). A treatment with autoclaved soil was included (0 and 7 µg kg^?1 as Na₂SeO₄) to unravel the impact of microbial activity on Se uptake. The Se‐enriched plant residues produced a lower Se uptake efficiency (SeUPE) and SeFR than did inorganic Se, and soil autoclaving enhanced Se accumulation in the plants. The time required for decomposition seems to preclude crop residues as an alternative source of Se. Furthermore, B. napus had a limited capacity to accumulate Se in seeds. The study shows that the bottlenecks in Se biofortification appear to be its low bioavailability in soil and poor loading from the silique walls to seeds. Thus, improved Se translocation to seeds would be a useful breeding goal in B. napus to increase SeFR.     

Sorption behavior of selenium and antimony in soils as a function of phosphate ion concentration

Abstract

Both selenium (Se) and antimony (Sb) are major soil and water pollutants. Their sorption behavior in a soil–plant system was studied. Soil–soil solution distribution coefficients (K _ds) for Se and Sb were measured, using a radiotracer, as an indicator of their sorption levels. Both Se and Sb behave as oxoanions (SeO^2? ₄, H₂PO^? ₄ and SO^2? ₄) in soil; thus, the effects of concentrations of two major oxoanions (SeO^2? ₄ and SeO^2? ₃) on Se and Sb sorption were also examined. The K _d values for Se for Japanese soils significantly correlated with the K _d values for Sb (n = 141). The K _ds of both Se and Sb similarly decreased with increasing SbO^? ₃ concentration. These results indicated that the sorption of Se and Sb was similarly controlled by a ligand-exchange mechanism such as phosphate sorption in soil. However, an increase in the concentration of SeO^2? ₃ did not decrease the K _ds of Se and Sb. Furthermore, the ligand-exchangeable fractions of stable Se and Sb in major Japanese soils were determined by extraction with 0.1 mol L^?1 Na₂HPO₄ solution. For both Se and Sb, the phosphate-extractable fractions were 10-fold higher for Se and fivefold higher for Sb than their water-soluble fractions. Although the total Se and Sb amounts in soils were the same, their ligand-exchangeable fractions were different. Approximately 0.9–12% of total Se and 0.2–1.3% of total Sb were extracted by the phosphate solution. These findings suggested that Se was more likely to be mobilized by the addition of phosphate than Sb. The effect of plant-available phosphate in the soil and the phosphate sorption capacity of soil on Se and Sb availabilities for plants were also examined using a pot experiment with soybean plants. The experimental results suggested that a high content of available phosphate and/or low phosphate sorption capacity of soil increased both Se and Sb availabilities to the plant. However, the results also suggested that the soil Se availability to the plant was higher than that of Sb even though the soil total Se and Sb amounts were the same.     

Changes in Anthocyanin Content as Indicator of Maize Sensitivity to Selenium

The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of exogenous selenium (Se) on anthocyanin and chlorophyll accumulation, Se content, as well as the growth of maize (Zea mays var. ‘saccharata Kcke’) cv. ‘Zlota Karlowa’ seedlings. Plants were grown hydroponically in Hoagland's nutrient solution at different pH values: 4.5, 6.2, and 7.5. Selenium was added to the solution as either selenate (Na₂SeO₄) or selenomethionine (C₅H₁₁NO₂Se) to a final concentration of: 0 (control), 5, 25, 50, and 100 μ M Se. Generally, the presence of Se in the medium caused an increase in the anthocyanin content and a simultaneous decrease of the total chlorophyll concentration depending on the Se form and dosage. Higher concentrations of anthocyanin were detected in the presence of selenomethionine than selenate, notably at pH 4.5. The effect of individual Se forms on maize seedlings, expressed on the basis of the fresh weight, indicate that selenomethionine was more phytotoxic than selenate. Selenium content both in roots and shoots increased linearly with increasing Se concentration in solution culture. However, a much higher Se level was found in the maize organs when plants were supplied with selenomethionine than selenate. Experimental evidence shows that the changes in anthocyanin content can be used as a test parameter reflecting the degree of Se toxicity in maize plants, and may be potential useful for bioindication of Se phytotoxicity in other higher plants.     

Influence of submergence and subsequent drainage on the partitioning and lability of added selenium fertilizers in a sulphur‐containing Fluvisol

We used an isotope dilution method to examine the time‐dependent changes in the partitioning and lability of selenium (Se) in a Sri Lankan rice soil after adding fertilizer with selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)) (1 mg kg^?1) and incubation under anaerobic (submerged) (30 days) and subsequent aerobic (drained) conditions (7 days) in controlled reaction vessels mimicking rice paddy water management practices. The K_d (the ratio of sorbed ion to that in solution) values for Se(IV) were significantly (P≤ 0.001) larger than those for Se(VI) in all treatments and at all sampling times. The K_d values for Se(IV) and Se(VI) decreased significantly (P≤ 0.001) with time during the anaerobic and subsequent aerobic phases. Applied Se(IV) fertilizer was rapidly removed into non‐labile pools during the anaerobic phase (day 0 = 60% labile and day 14 = no labile Se), with no significant increase in the labile pool following short‐term aeration. The results suggest that the rapid decrease in Se(IV) lability may be caused by the strong non‐reversible (at least for 7 days) sorption of Se (IV). In contrast, applied Se(VI) fertilizer was 90% labile at 0 day and decreased during the anaerobic phase to 30% after 30 days. There was no significant change in the lability of Se(VI) following the short‐term aerobic phase following anaerobic conditions. These results indicate that Se(IV) would not be an effective pre‐planting fertilizer for rice production. Selenate is likely to be more effective, but losses to non‐labile forms during the submerged phase of rice production may mean that efficiency of pre‐planting Se(VI) fertilizer is also compromised.     

A Comparison of Water Treatment Sludge and Red Mud as Adsorbents of As and Se in Aqueous Solution and Their Capacity for Desorption and Regeneration

The adsorption of As(III), As(V), Se(IV) and Se(VI) by seawater neutralized red mud and alum water treatment sludge was investigated and compared using the batch adsorption technique. For water treatment sludge, adsorption of As(V), Se(IV) and Se(VI), at equimolar concentrations of added metalloid, declined with increasing pH. The decline was rapid above pH?4.0 for Se(VI), above pH?5.0 for Se(IV) and above pH?6.0 for As(V). Adsorption of As(III) increased with increasing pH up to pH?9.0 and then declined. For red mud, adsorption of As(V), Se(IV) and Se(VI) showed a maximum at about pH?5.0 and for As(III) adsorption remained relatively constant over the pH range 2.0?C10.0 after which it declined. Water treatment sludge removed 50?% or more of solution As(V) between pH?2.0 and 10.8, Se(IV) between 2.0 and 8.9, Se(VI) between 2.0 and 5.8 and As(III) between 8.4 and 10.9. By contrast, red mud showed less than 25?% adsorption of added Se(VI) and As(III) over the entire pH range tested (2.0?C12.0) and reached 50?% or more for As(V) only over the pH range 4.0?C6.9 and for Se(IV) between pH?4.3 and 5.6. At pH?5.0, adsorption of As(III) and Se(IV) was better described by the Langmuir than Freundlich equation but the reverse was the case for As(V) and Se(VI). Kinetic data for adsorption of all four oxyanions onto both adsorbents correlated well with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model suggesting the process involved was chemisorption. NaOH was more effective at removing adsorbed metals from both adsorbents than HNO₃. Water treatment sludge maintained its As(III) and Se(IV) adsorption capability at greater than 70?% of that added over eight successive cycles of adsorption/regeneration using 0.5?M NaOH as a regenerating agent. By contrast, for red mud, As(V) adsorption capacity declined very rapidly after three adsorption/desorption cycles and that for Se(IV) it decreased progressively with increasing numbers of cycles. It was concluded that water treatment sludge is a suitable material to develop as a low-cost adsorbent for removal of heavy metal oxyanions from wastewater streams.     

Selenium accumulation in selected vegetables

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine selenium (Se) uptake by sulfur‐accumulating vegetables. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) and collards (Brassica Oleracea var. acephda) were grown in a soil mix to which 4.5 mg of selenate or selenite had been added per kg of soil. Plants were grown to maturity, separated into plant organs, and the tissues analyzed for Se and sulfate (SO₄). Vegetables grown in selenate laden soil significantly (P<0.05) accumulated higher concentrations of Se than plants grown in selenite laden soil. The highest concentrations of Se and SO₄ were found in the broccoli floret and vegetable leaf tissues.

A second greenhouse experiment examined the uptake of Se and SO₄ in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) grown hydroponically with increasing Se concentrations. Treatments consisted of three Se concentrations (2, 6, and 15 mg of selenate, added as Na₂SeO₄/L to a synthetic water solution, including SO₄). Solution samples were taken weekly and analyzed for Se and SO₄. The removal or uptake of both Se and SO₄ by broccoli was positively related (P<0.05) with time at each Se concentration. After 6 weeks in Se treatments, uptake responses of Se and SO₄ were significantly different (P<0.05) based apon analyses of covariance. Composite leave samples were also taken from the broccoli plants and analyzed for Se and SO₄. Selenium concentrations were negatively correlated (P<0.08) with SO₄ concentrations in the leaf tissue.     

土壤富硒细菌的筛选、鉴定

从广西不同富硒区土壤中分离出32株耐硒细菌,通过优化加硒时间、培养时间及加硒浓度进行富硒试验,筛选获得4株富硒能力较强的细菌,进一步通过对4株细菌16S rDNA序列分析及系统发育树分析明确了各菌株的种属关系。经鉴定,YLB1-6为Bacillus cereus,TXB1-10为Sinomonas sp.,TXB2-5为Bacillus thuringiensis,GPB1-5为Achromobacter denitrificans。在最适加硒时间、培养时间及适宜加硒浓度条件下,各菌株的硒转化率分别为:YLB1-674.22%,TXB1-1066.05%,TXB2-555.31%,GPB1-563.30%。各菌株处理能显著提高土壤可交换态硒含量,对土壤硒起到较强活化作用。土壤富硒细菌为硒转化提供更多的高效微生物载体,并为富硒产品开发研究提供技术支持。     

Adding selenium‐enriched plant tissue to soil causes the accumulation of selenium in alfalfa

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine selenium (Se) uptake by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in soils amended with Se‐laden mustard plant tissue. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with treatments consisting of 5, 10, 20, and 40 g of added dried Se‐containing mustard tissue to the soil, which resulted in soil Se concentrations of 1.0, 1.6, 3.0, and 5.7 mg Se/kg, respectively. Four clippings of alfalfa were made and the vegetative portions analyzed for dry weight and total Se. Plant dry weight yields and heights of plants were significantly reduced only at the highest Se treatment rate. Mean tissue Se concentrations increased from 1.8 mg Se/kg DM at the 5 g treatment rate to 6.0 mg Se/kg DM at the 40 g treatment rate. Based on this study, alfalfa can accumulate Se during establishment year when Se‐laden mustard plant tissue is added to the soil.     

小麦硒敏感性的基因型差异分析

土壤中硒分布不均匀,富硒土壤中硒含量可达1 200 mg/kg,硒含量过高对大多数植物均有毒害作用。小麦是我国重要的主要粮食作物,筛选硒耐性强的小麦品种有利于实现小麦在富硒地区更好的推广。本研究选择99份小麦品种(系)进行盆栽试验,在拔节期进行处理设置(硒处理每盆硒酸钠用量120 mg/L,记作Se120;以硒酸钠0 mg/L处理为对照,记作CK),比较不同品种(系)小麦硒处理下农艺性状的变化。结果表明:与CK相比,过量施硒后小麦籽粒千粒重显著提高(P0.01),株高、有效叶面积、单株叶片数和功能叶片数均显著下降(P0.01),SPAD值(叶绿素相对含量)则没有显著变化。以Se120和CK之间农艺性状的差异作为小麦的耐硒性指标,通过马氏距离综合评估不同小麦品种对硒的耐受性和敏感性差异,结合聚类分析,发现X325、淮麦18、扬麦15号、淮9440、扬麦11是典型的耐硒品种,而扬麦2号和Corrine是典型的硒敏感型品种。     

SELENIUM FERTILIZATION INFLUENCES BIOMASS,ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATIONS,AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS IN WATERCRESS

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.     

Soluble selenium content of agricultural soils in Japan and its determining factors with reference to soil type,land use and region

Abstract

To evaluate labile selenium (Se) content in agricultural soils in Japan and to investigate its determining factors, 178 soil samples were collected from the surface layer of paddy or upland fields in Japan and their soluble Se contents were determined. Two grams of soil was extracted with 20 mL of 0.1 mol L^?1 sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) solution for 30 min in boiling water, and the released Se was reduced to Se (IV) after organic matter decomposition. The concentration of Se (IV) was then determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector after treatment with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and extraction with cyclohexane. Soluble Se content ranged from 2.5 to 44.5 μg kg^?1 with geometric and arithmetic means of 11.4 and 12.8 μg kg^?1, respectively, and corresponded to 3.2% of the total Se on average. The overall data showed log-normal distribution. In terms of soil type, Non-allophanic Andosols and Volcanogenous Regosols had relatively high soluble Se content, and Wet Andosols and Lowland Paddy soils had relatively low soluble Se content. In terms of land use, upland soils had significantly higher soluble Se content than paddy soils (p < 0.01). The soluble Se content had significant positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) content of the extract, soil pH and total Se content (p < 0.01). In conclusion, total Se content in combination with soil pH was the main determining factor of the soluble Se content of agricultural soils in Japan.     

Water‐stress mitigation by selenium in Trifolium repens L.

This study was designed to examine whether external selenium (Se) may improve the tolerance of Trifolium repens L. to polyethylene glycol (PEG)–induced water deficit, and to determine the physiological mechanisms of the possibly enhanced tolerance. Trifolium repens seedlings were subjected to PEG‐induced water deficit alone or combined with 5 μM Na₂SeO₄ for 24, 48, and 72 h. During the experimental period, the fresh weight (FW) of T. repens seedlings and the relative water content (RWC) of the leaves decreased gradually, and the chlorophyll concentration increased after 24 and 48 h, but decreased after 72 h. The PEG+Se‐treated plants had higher FW, RWC, and chlorophyll concentration than the PEG‐treated plants. Smaller amounts of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) and H₂O₂ accumulated in PEG+Se‐treated plants than in plants treated only with PEG. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased gradually during the water‐deficit period, and Se application promoted SOD activity further. Catalase (CAT) activity remained unchanged after 24 and 48 h and insignificantly increased after 72 h of water deficit, whereas ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) activity increased linearly and glutathione reductase (GR) activity increased slightly over the course of treatment. Whereas the Se application exhibited no effect on the CAT activity, seedlings treated with PEG+Se had higher APOX activity during the whole experimental period and a higher GR activity after 48 and 72 h than PEG‐treated plants. These results suggest that exogenous Se treatment enhanced T. repens tolerance to PEG‐induced water deficit, and this enhancement was related to alleviation of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APOX, and GR.     

Difference in selenium accumulation in shoots of two rice cultivars

Two japonica rice （Oryza sativa L.） cultivars, Xiushui 48 and S. Andrea, differing in their ability to accumulate Se in the grain （as high as a three-fold difference）, were compared for selenium （Se） accumulation in their shoots when their growth media was supplied with different forms of Se. Results indicated that when treated with 0.25μmol L^-1 Na2SeO3, Xiushui 48 accumulation of Se in the shoots was significantly more rapid （P〈0.05） than S. Andrea, probably because of greater Se uptake and transport in Xiushui 48. Xiushui 48 rice seedlings had a higher shoot-Se accumulation rate and absorbed selenocysteine （Se-Cys） more rapidly than S. Andrea seedlings. However, when treated with Se as 0.25μmol L^-1 selenomethionine （Se-Met）, the S. Andrea seedlings＇ accumulation rate was significantly greater （P〈0.05） than that of Xiushui 48. Possibly, the high Se accumulation rate of Xiushui 48 seedling shoots compared to S. Andrea shoots was the result of a higher capacity of Xiushui 48 to transform selenite to organic Se compounds and a higher selenite uptake rate.     

Effects of selenium on some morphological and physiological traits of tomato plants grown under hydroponic condition

A hydroponic experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design (CRD) to study the effects of Selenium (Se) on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L), cv. Foria with three replications. Treatments included 3, 5, 7, and 10 µM sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and 0 as control. The results showed that selenium (Se) at 7 µM was beneficial to photosynthesis pigments. The highest relative water content was resulted from the 3 µM Se treatment. The membrane stability index was decreased with increasing Se concentration up to 10 µM Se. An increase in peroxidase (POD) activity occurred at the 3 µM Se level, and the catalase (CAT) activity was 80% higher than the control at the 7 µM Se level. In general, the highest root volume, leaf numbers, carotenoids content, and CAT activity were found at the 5 µM Se level, and Chlorophyll content increased at the 7 and 10 µM Se levels.     

Growth and selenium uptake of range plants propagated in uranium mine soils

High soil selenium (Se) levels have been found in association with uranium deposits in Texas. A concern that high Se concentrations may be found in forages grown on reclaimed mine lands prompted this investigation. A native soil sampled near the mining area, and overburden materials sampled from two Se enriched uranium mine spoil sites were compared in a plant growth study in the greenhouse. Shoot yields and shoot Se concentration in each of ten grasses common to the region were determined from plants harvested three weeks after germination and from shoot regrowth harvested four weeks after the first harvest. Shoot weights were reduced for 5 of the 10 species growing in soils with medium and high Se status. Total shoot weights of Cynodon dactylon and Panicum coloratum from two harvests were consistently highest in all soil materials and are highly recommended for use as a stabilizing cover crop for lands disturbed from uranium mining. Generally, no correlation was observed between shoot weight and plant Se concentration or uptake in the 10 species. However, plant tissue Se concentrations in all species for at least one of the two harvest dates were above the 5 mg kg^‐1 concentration considered potentially harmful to grazing livestock. Therefore, none of these species would be a suitable forage for livestock grazing on reclaimed Se‐enriched uranium mining overburden.     

Selenium accumulation in a rapid‐cycling Brassica oleracea population responds to increasing sodium seienate concentrations

Because of their short life cycle, rapid‐cycling base populations (RCBP) of Brassica can act as model systems for investigating selenium (Se) metabolism in high sulfur (S) accumulating plants. To establish treatment responses for a B. oleracea RCBP, plants were grown in nutrient solutions containing 0, 3, 6, and 9 mg sodium seienate (Na₂SeO₄) L^‐1. Depletion of Se from nutrient solutions increased linearly with in‐creasing Na₂SeO₄ concentrations. Selenium accumulation ranged from 551 to 1,916 μg Se g^‐1 dry weight for leaf tissue, 267 to 1,165 μg Se g^‐1 dry weight for stem tissue, and 338 to 1,636 μg Se g^‐1 dry weight for root tissue. Selenium additions also resulted in linear increases in S accumulation in leaves and stems. Selenium supplementation has been shown to improve the health of individuals with low Se status. Because Brassica species are important vegetable and forage crops, their enrichment with Se maybe a good delivery system for mammalian diets.     

Effect of saline irrigation water composition on selenium accumulation by wheat

Abstract

Trace amounts of selenium (Se) are essential for animal and human nutrition. However, the optimum concentration range is very narrow and outside of this range deficiencies or toxicities can occur. Potentially harmful levels of Se in soils and irrigation waters have been reported in regions where salinity is also a hazard. This study was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation water composition and salinity level on Se accumulation in leaves and grain of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Yecora Rojo'). Plants were grown in greenhouse sand cultures and irrigated with complete nutrient solution. Salinity treatments were initiated 4 days after planting by irrigating the seedlings with either chloride‐dominated waters or with waters containing both chloride and sulfate salts. Compositions of the mixed salt waters were designed to simulate saline drainage waters commonly present in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two salinity types (Cl^? or mixed salts), eight salinity levels (osmotic potentials=0.07, 0.16, 0.21,0.30.0.36, 0.44, 0.52, and 0.63 MPa), and three replications. Four weeks after planting, Se (1 mg L^?1 as sodium selenate) was added to all irrigation waters. In the chloride system, the molar ratio of SO₄ ^2‐:SeO₄ ^2‐ was approximately 110 across all salinity levels, whereas in the mixed salt system, the SO₄ ^2‐ SeO₄ ^2‐ratio in solution increased from about 300 to 4,700 as salinity increased. Selenium concentration was determined in fully‐expanded flag leaf blades and grain. Salinity type, and to a lesser extent, salinity affected Se accumulation. In the Cl‐system, wheat accumulated Se to levels that may be potentially harmful to livestock and humans, e.g., blade‐Se ranged from 435 to 295 mg kg^?1 dry wt; grain‐Se ranged from 81 to 54 mg kg^?1 dry wt. Under the saline conditions of the mixed salt system, the inhibition of selenium uptake by sulfate reduced both blade‐ and grain‐Se to levels that would minimize the health risk to consumers.     

NUTRITIONAL BALANCE CHANGES IN LETTUCE PLANT GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT DOSES AND FORMS OF SELENIUM

The mineral composition and maintenance of mineral balance are important to growth and development of plants. The selenium (Se) has not been described as an essential element for plants, although there are studies that have demonstrated to interaction between Se with other mineral nutrients. The aim was to evaluate the influence that Se application at different rates and forms exerts on the nutritional state in lettuce plants. The plants were grown under different treatments: 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 μmol L^?1 as sodium selenate [Na₂SeO₄ or Na₂SeO₃]. All the plants growth under controlled conditions. The results showed changes in some of the essential nutrients inside of plants such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca). The effect of Se depended largely on the Se from was applied to the culture medium. Thus, the selenite application had a stronger effect on the nutritional state of the plant.