Effect of Selenium on Selected Macronutrients in Maize Plants

Selenium is an essential element for humans, animals and some species of microorganisms. In higher plants, however, the role of selenium is still unclear. Because selenium enrichment may influence the nutrient balance of plants, a study was done to test the effects of selenite-Se (Na2SeO3⋅5H2O) on selected macronutrients content in maize (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Kcke. cv. Z3ota Kar3owa) seedlings. Plants were grown in Hoagland I nutrient solution (pH 6,2) amended with selenite at 0 (control), 5, 25, 50 and 100 μmol⋅dm-3 for 14 days. The dry weight of the shoots was then analyzed for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content. Phosphorus and calcium content increased, while potassium content decreased with increasing selenium treatments. No significant differences were found for magnesium level. Plant growth was affected by excessive selenium concentration. At low concentration (5 μmol⋅dm-3), selenium tended to stimulate the plant growth and the root elongation but at higher concentrations (50 and 100 μmol⋅dm-3) the dry mass accumulation and root tolerance index severely decreased. The study revealed that disturbances of growth and reduction of plant’s biomass at the presence of high selenium concentrations in the nutrient solution may have resulted from the disturbance of mineral balance of plants, namely accumulation of large amounts of calcium and phosphorus in shoot tissues.