Influence of selenium on carbohydrate accumulation in developing wheat grains

The present investigation reports the effects of different doses of sodium selenate and sodium selenite on its uptake, carbohydrate composition, and sucrose and starch metabolizing enzymes in flag leaf and developing grains of wheat grown under greenhouse conditions. Selenium (Se) concentration increased significantly in leaves and developing grains of Se-treated plants compared to control at different intervals post-anthesis. Total soluble sugars and sucrose concentrations in developing grains increased due to various Se treatments. Different selenite treatments increased sucrose synthase activity from 10 to 20 days post-anthesis and increased starch accumulation compared to control plants. Lower starch accumulation in selenate than control and selenite treatments was observed. The activities of α, β and total amylase, invertase and sucrose synthase increased whereas sucrose phosphate synthase declined. Results indicated that Se accumulation causes disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism that is dependent on Se concentration, form and the development stage of the plant.