The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of application of two mineral selenium forms (selenite Se<sup>4+</sup> or selenate Se<sup>6+</sup>) on the accumulation of this element by alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em>), radish (<em>Raphanus sativus</em> var. <em>sativus</em>), and white mustard (<em>Sinapis alba</em>) at early stages of plant development for biofortification of sprouts with selenium, and the impact of this process on selected phytochemical traits. For this purpose, selenium-biofortified sprouts were analyzed for the contents of l-ascorbic acid and anthocyanin as well as their antioxidant activity. Additionally, the concentration of selenium in the biomass was determined. It was demonstrated that the application of selenium contributed to increased bioaccumulation of the element in the sprouts, constituting an effective method for the production of selenium-biofortified food. Selenate was accumulated less efficiently than was selenite. It was found that a concentration of 20 µmol L<sup>−1</sup> Se in the form of both selenate and selenite was an optimal dose for enrichment of the sprouts with this element. Biofortification of the experimental species with selenium (20 µmol L<sup>−1</sup>) generally increased accumulation of anthocyanins but did not significantly alter the level of l-ascorbic acid and free radical scavenging activity. Therefore, it seems that consumption of selenium-biofortified sprouts can be an effective way to supplement low-selenium diets with this element.
Ornamental plants growing in urban areas are often exposed to salt stress that negatively affects their decorative value. Enhancement of their salt resistance to retain a high decorative value despite salt stress has therefore high practical importance. In our study, the exposure of Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. to NaCl-induced moderate (40 mM) or severe salt stress (80 mM) resulted in a number of stress responses including reduced growth parameters, decreased concentration of photosynthetic pigments, and an increase in the accumulation of anthocyanins and free proline. These changes were partially compensated for by the application of selenium (5 µM as Na2SeO4) to the growth medium. However, the beneficial effect of selenium on the growth and physiological parameters of P. scutellarioides was manifested only at the moderate level of salt stress. Under the severe salt stress, the application of selenium was not able to alleviate the phytotoxic effect of NaCl.
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