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Growth effects and distribution of selenite in Medicago sativa

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Abstract

Aims

The detailed Se distribution in plants has been poorly described. This study was performed to determine the optimal dose of selenite for enhanced Medicago sativa growth and comprehensively explore the distribution characteristics of Se in this plant.

Methods

Alfalfa pot experiments were conducted in a growth chamber. The plants were grown in sterilized quartz sand and treated with different selenite levels for 21 days to determine the effect of Se on growth. Plants exposed to 1 and 10 μM selenite were used to clarify the Se distribution in alfalfa.

Results

Alfalfa growth was significantly stimulated (P < 0.05) under <5 μM Se. Three linear correlations were found between the applied Se doses and Se concentrations in alfalfa roots, stems, and leaves. The following patterns of Se concentrations were observed: root>leaf>stem in the organs; rhizodermis and cortex>stele in the tissues; and younger leaf >mature leaf>older leaf and marginal leaf>midrib>internal leaf in the leaves. In addition, Se concentration in the cytoplasm fraction was significantly higher than that in cell wall fraction at 1 μM selenite, and the opposite result was found at 10 μM selenite.

Conclusions

Appropriate selenite addition (1 μM) benefited alfalfa. Se binding in the rhizodermis and cortex of the root caused relatively low transport efficiency of Se from the root to the shoot. Se redistributions may be a possible important factor affecting the transportation of Se in shoot and Se was transported along with the transpiration stream within a single leaf. Cell wall immobilization might be a major strategy to protect plant organs from potential Se toxicity.

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Abbreviations

Se:

selenium

GSH:

glutathione

O2 − •:

superoxide radical

SE:

standard error

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Nonprofit Industry (Agriculture) Research Subject (201403048). As first author, I am grateful to Professor Shen, Dr. Chen and Dr. Zhang for their professional guidance in all the works related to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agro-Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, No 1, Tong Wei Road, Nanjing, 210095, China

    Binqiang Bai, Wei Chen, Jinglong Zhang & Yixin Shen

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  1. Binqiang Bai
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  2. Wei Chen
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  3. Jinglong Zhang
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  4. Yixin Shen
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Correspondence to Yixin Shen.

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Responsible Editor: Juan Barcelo.

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Bai, B., Chen, W., Zhang, J. et al. Growth effects and distribution of selenite in Medicago sativa. Plant Soil 425, 527–538 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3589-6

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