Seasonal fluctuations of selenium and sulfur accumulation in selenium hyperaccumulators and related nonaccumulators

Some plants hyperaccumulate selenium (Se) up to 1% of dry weight. This study was performed to obtain insight into whole-plant Se fluxes in hyperaccumulators. Selenium hyperaccumulators Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata were monitored over two growing seasons for seasonal fluctuations in concentrations of Se and the chemically similar element sulfur (S). The related nonhyperaccumulators Astragalus sericoleucus, Oxytropis sericea and Thlaspi montanum were included for comparison. In both hyperaccumulators leaf Se decreased from April to October, coinciding with Se hyperaccumulation in flowers and seeds. Root Se levels were lowest in summer. Selenium concentration decreased with leaf age in both hyperaccumulators. Leaf S levels peaked in summer in all plant species, as did Se levels in nonhyperaccumulators. Selenium and S levels tended to be negatively correlated in hyperaccumulators, and positively correlated in nonhyperaccumulators. These results suggest a specific flow of Se in hyperaccumulator plants over the growing season, from root to young leaves in spring, followed by remobilization from aging leaves to reproductive tissues in summer, and back to roots in the autumn.     

Extraordinarily high leaf selenium to sulfur ratios define 'Se-accumulator' plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) exhibit similar chemical properties. In flowering plants (angiosperms) selenate and sulfate are acquired and assimilated by common transport and metabolic pathways. It is hypothesized that most angiosperm species show little or no discrimination in the accumulation of Se and S in leaves when their roots are supplied a mixture of selenate and sulfate, but some, termed Se-accumulator plants, selectively accumulate Se in preference to S under these conditions. METHODS: This paper surveys Se and S accumulation in leaves of 39 angiosperm species, chosen to represent the range of plant Se accumulation phenotypes, grown hydroponically under identical conditions. RESULTS: The data show that, when supplied a mixture of selenate and sulfate: (1) plant species differ in both their leaf Se ([Se](leaf)) and leaf S ([S](leaf)) concentrations; (2) most angiosperms show little discrimination for the accumulation of Se and S in their leaves and, in non-accumulator plants, [Se](leaf) and [S](leaf) are highly correlated; (3) [Se](leaf) in Se-accumulator plants is significantly greater than in other angiosperms, but [S](leaf), although high, is within the range expected for angiosperms in general; and (4) the Se/S quotient in leaves of Se-accumulator plants is significantly higher than in leaves of other angiosperms. CONCLUSION: The traits of extraordinarily high [Se](leaf) and leaf Se/S quotients define the distinct elemental composition of Se-accumulator plants.     

Soil boron and selenium removal by three plant species

High concentrations of boron (B) and selenium (Se) naturally found in the environment are detrimental to sustainable agriculture in the western USA. Greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to study B and Se uptake in three different plant species; Brassica juncea (L.) Czern (wild brown mustard), Festuca arundinacea Schreb. L. (tall fescue), and Brassica napus (canola) were grown in soil containing naturally occurring concentrations of 3.00 mg extractable B kg^–1 and 1.17 mg total Se kg^–1 soil. During the growing season, four intermediate harvests were performed on wild mustard and tall fescue. Final harvest I consisted of harvesting wild mustard, canola, and clipping tall fescue. Final harvest II consisted of harvesting wild mustard, which had been planted in soil in which wild mustard was previously grown, and harvesting previously clipped tall fescue. The greatest total amount of above ground biomass and below surface biomass was produced by tall fescue. Plants were separated into shoots and roots, weighted, and plant tissues were analyzed for total B and Se. The highest concentrations of tissue B were recovered in shoots of wild mustard and canola at final harvest I, while roots from tall fescue contained the highest concentrations of B irrespective of the harvest. Tissue Se concentrations were similar in all plants species. Soils were analyzed for residual B and Se. Extractable soil B concentrations at harvest times were lowered no less than 32% and total Se no less than 24% for all three species. The planting of wild mustard, canola, or tall fescue can reduce water-extractable B and total Se in the soil.     

海南稻田土壤硒与重金属的含量、分布及其安全性

采集了海南省18个市(县)代表性的稻田土壤耕作层(0—20cm)样品280个,研究了硒(Se)和5种有毒重金属元素(Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb和As)的含量、分布及其相关关系,并对Se和重金属的安全性进行评价,可为合理区划清洁且富Se稻田提供理论依据。结果表明:海南稻田土壤中Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb和As平均含量均低于国家土壤环境质量一级标准值和全国土壤背景值,以绿色食品产地环境技术条件限量标准为标准,用单项污染指数法和内梅罗综合污染指数法评价海南稻田土壤重金属的污染状况,结果都是清洁的。但以海南省土壤背景值做参比值,Hakanson潜在生态危害指数达到211.54,属于强生态危害,从潜在生态危害系数来看,Hg(102.61)和Cd(98.89)达到强生态危害,分别比海南省土壤背景值增加1.56和2.3倍,今后应注意控制Hg和Cd污染源。稻田土壤Se含量从痕量到1.532mg/kg之间,平均值为0.211mg/kg,占47.5%的稻田土壤Se含量处于中等及以上水平(>0.175mg/kg)。Se含量高的稻田土壤主要集中在东北部的海口及其周边的澄迈、定安、文昌和琼海,还有东南部的万宁和保亭。由于重金属平均含量还比较低,可暂时忽略重金属污染,故可在上述Se含量高的稻田土壤上种植富Se水稻。稻田土壤Se含量与Hg、Cd和As含量呈极显著或显著正相关,因此今后应加强研究稻田土壤Se与Hg、Cd和As的有效性及其相互作用,以便生产出绿色的富Se优质大米。     

不同施肥处理对甜菊生长及糖苷含量和积累量的影响

采用盆栽法,以甜菊( Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)品种‘中山4号'(‘Zhongshan No.4')当年生扦插苗为研究对象,研究不同形态氮肥(硫酸铵、硝酸钠和尿素)及不同施氮量(纯氮)、施磷量( P2 O5)和施钾量( K2 O)对幼苗生长及糖苷含量和单株积累量的影响。结果显示：随氮肥、磷肥和钾肥施用量的提高,甜菊幼苗的株高、茎粗、叶长、叶宽、单株叶干质量和单株茎干质量均呈先升后降的变化趋势,且总体上与对照无显著差异,仅施磷量300 mg·kg-1处理组的叶长显著高于对照;根据施肥量与单株叶干质量的回归方程,确定硫酸铵、硝酸钠、尿素、磷肥和钾肥的施用量分别为64.87、660.21、735.84、211.54和775.92 mg·kg-1时,幼苗单株叶干质量最高。在硫酸铵处理组中,300 mg·kg-1处理组甜菊叶片中的莱鲍迪苷A( R-A)含量及甜菊苷( St)、R-A和总苷的单株积累量以及600 mg·kg-1处理组的St单株积累量高于对照,多数处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;在硝酸钠处理组中,1200 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷含量、600和900 mg·kg-1处理组的St单株积累量以及300~900 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷单株积累量高于对照,其他处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;在尿素处理组中,1500 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷的含量和单株积累量以及600和900 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷单株积累量高于对照,其他处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;各施氮处理组中,仅1500 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A含量与对照差异显著,其他指标均与对照无显著差异。在施磷处理组中,100 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A含量以及100和200 mg·kg-1处理组的St、R-A和总苷的单株积累量高于对照,多数处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量低于对照且与对照均无显著差异。在施钾处理组中,各处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均高于对照,其中仅900 mg·kg-1处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量与对照显著差异。各施肥处理组的St含量占总苷含量的百分率均低于对照、R-A含量占总苷含量的百分率均高于对照,且总体上与对照无显著差异。经过综合分析,建议在甜菊生育期内的施肥量为纯氮600~900 mg·kg-1、P2 O5200~300 mg·kg-1和K2 O 600~900 mg·kg-1,其中氮肥以尿素为宜。     

Uptake and distribution of selenium in different fern species

There has been an interest in using hyperaccumulating plants for the removal of heavy metals and metalloids. High selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment are detrimental to animals, humans, and sustainable agriculture, yet selenium is also an essential nutrient for humans. This experiment was conducted to screen fern plants for their potential to accumulate selenium. Eleven fern species, Pteris vittata, P. quadriaurita, P. dentata, P. ensiformis, P. cretica, Dryopteris erythrosora, Didymochlaena truncatula, Adiantum hispidulum, Actiniopteris radiata, Davallia griffithiana, and Cyrtomium fulcatum, were grown under hydroponic conditions for one week at 20 mg L(-1) selenate or selenite. Root Se concentrations reached 245-731 and 516-1082 mg kg(-1) when treated with selenate and selenite, respectively. The corresponding numbers in the fronds were 153-745 and 74-1,028 mg kg(-1) with no visible toxicity symptoms. Only three fern species were able to accumulate more Se in the fronds than the roots, which were D. griffithiana when treated with selenate, P. vittata when treated with selenite, and A. radiata regardless of the forms of Se. A. radiata was the best species overall for Se accumulation. More research is needed to further determine the potential of the fern species identified in this study for phytoremediation of the Se contaminated soils and water.     

Phytoextraction of selenium from soils irrigated with selenium-laden effluent

This two-part study compared the efficacy of different plant species to extract Se from soils irrigated with Se-laden effluent. The species used were: Brassica napus L. (canola), Brassica juncea Czern L. and Coss (Indian mustard), and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley). In Study 1 we irrigated the plants with a saline effluent containing 0.150 mg Se L^–1, while in Study 2, the same species were planted in a saline soil selenized with 2 mg Se L^–1. Plants were simultaneously harvested 120 days after planting. In Study 1, there were only slight effects of treatment on dry matter (DM) yield. Plant Se concentrations averaged 21 g Se g^–1DM for the Brassica species, and 4.0 g Se g^–1 DM for barley. Total Se added to soils via effluent decreased by 40% for Brassica species and by 20% for barley. In Study 2, total DM decreased for all species grown in saline soils containing Se. Plant Se concentrations averaged 75 g g^–1 DM for Brassica species and 12 g Se g^–1 DM for barley. Total Se added to soils prior to planting decreased by 40% for Brassica species and up to 12% for barley. In both studies, plant accumulation of Se accounted for at least 50% of the Se removed in soils planted to Brassica and up to 20% in soils planted to barley. Results show that although the tested Brassica species led to a significant reduction in Se added to soil via use of Se-laden effluent, additional plantings are necessary to further decrease Se content in the soil.     

施硒对两种类型玉米硒元素分配及产量、品质的影响

通过盆栽试验,以普通玉米品种郑单958(ZD958)和糯玉米品种京紫糯218(JN218)为试验材料,研究了不同硒水平(0、10、25、50 mg·kg-1)下,玉米植株各器官对硒的分配和转运差异以及硒对玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响.结果表明： 低含量(≤10 mg·kg-1)硒促进了玉米生长,植株生物量和籽粒产量均显著增加;高含量(≥25 mg·kg-1)硒抑制了玉米生长,植株干物质积累量减少,籽粒产量和品质下降.施硒显著提高了玉米植株各器官的硒含量,硒在各器官的分配为根系>叶片>茎秆>叶鞘,两种类型玉米各器官硒含量均与土壤硒含量呈显著正相关.JN218在自然低硒土壤环境中具有较强的硒富集能力,而ZD958在10 mg·kg-1 硒水平下硒积累量高于JN218.如果以籽粒和地上部营养器官的硒积累量为评价标准,自然低硒(025 mg·kg-1)或高硒(25 mg·kg-1)土壤适宜种植JN218,而富硒(10 mg·kg-1)或硒污染(50 mg·kg-1)土壤适宜种植ZD958.     

土壤硒及其与植物硒营养的关系

综述了土壤中Se的形态分布、有效性及其与植物关系研究方面的进展。论述了不同形态的Se在土壤中分布情况、对植物的有效性与土壤pH值、化学及矿物学组成、吸附表面、氧化还原状态等物理化学性质的关系;Se在植物中的富集、转化及其对植物的抗氧化、促进生长、提高产量和质量等各种生物学效应;并在此基础上对Se的应用前景做了展望。     

Interactions of selenium hyperaccumulators and nonaccumulators during cocultivation on seleniferous or nonseleniferous soil--the importance of having good neighbors

? This study investigated how selenium (Se) affects relationships between Se hyperaccumulator and nonaccumulator species, particularly how plants influence their neighbors' Se accumulation and growth. ? Hyperaccumulators Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata and nonaccumulators Astragalus?drummondii and Stanleya?elata were cocultivated on seleniferous or nonseleniferous soil, or on gravel supplied with different selenate concentrations. The plants were analyzed for growth, Se accumulation and Se speciation. Also, root exudates were analyzed for Se concentration. ? The hyperaccumulators showed 2.5-fold better growth on seleniferous than on nonseleniferous soil, and up to fourfold better growth with increasing Se supply; the nonaccumulators showed the opposite results. Both hyperaccumulators and nonaccumulators could affect growth (up to threefold) and Se accumulation (up to sixfold) of neighboring plants. Nonaccumulators S.?elata and A.?drummondii accumulated predominantly (88-95%) organic C-Se-C; the remainder was selenate. S.?elata accumulated relatively more C-Se-C and less selenate when growing adjacent to S.?pinnata. Both hyperaccumulators released selenocompounds from their roots. A.?bisulcatus exudate contained predominantly C-Se-C compounds; no speciation data could be obtained for S.?pinnata. ? Thus, plants can affect Se accumulation in neighbors, and soil Se affects competition and facilitation between plants. This helps to explain why hyperaccumulators are found predominantly on seleniferous soils.     

硒肥对豆科牧草圆叶决明生长和植株养分含量及其固氮能力的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了施用不同量硒肥对种植于南方红壤的圆叶决明植株生长、牧草品质和根瘤固氮能力的影响.结果表明,1hm²施用硒肥75g(S₁)、150g(S₂)、225g(S₃)、300g(S₄)处理的圆叶决明植株株高、分枝数、根干重和茎叶干重分别比不施硒肥的对照(S₀)处理提高0.3%～6.2%、65.1%～79.5%、155%～252%和23.5%～70.6%,其中以S₂处理最佳.施用4种水平硒肥处理(S₁～S₄)的植株全氮、全磷和全钾吸收量分别比对照(S₀)处理提高21.79%～41.46%、20.74%～34.67%和34.3%～62.4%;而圆叶决明植株粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维和氨基酸含量则分别比对照(S₀)处理提高了21.79%～41.46%、1.4%～89.6%、34.1%～56.6%和6.33%～63.24%,其中以S₂处理对提高圆叶决明植株营养成分含量的效果最为明显.S₄处理的圆叶决明植株体硒含量最高,达0.695mg·kg^-1,比不施硒肥的S₀处理提高了0.658mg·kg^-1.在S₂处理中,圆叶决明的根瘤重、根瘤数和根瘤固氮酶活性均呈现为最大值,分别比对照(S₀)提高了131.7%、114.3%和1417.9%.     

Antioxidative and growth-promoting effect of selenium on senescing lettuce

In human and animal cells, Se plays an essential role in antioxidation and exerts an antiaging function but it is toxic at high dietary intake. To increase its intake in forage and foodstuffs, Se fertilization is adopted in some countries where soils are low in bioavailable Se, even though higher plants are regarded not to require Se. To test its ability to counteract senescence-related oxidative stress in higher plants, a pot experiment was carried out with lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivated with increasing amounts of H₂SeO₄. The yields harvested 7 or 14 weeks after sowing revealed that a low Se dosage (0.1 mg kg^–1 soil) stimulated the growth of senescing seedlings (dry weight yield by 14%) despite a decreased chlorophyll concentration. The growth-promoting function was related to diminished lipid peroxidation. In young and senescing plants, the antioxidative effect of Se was associated with the increased activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In the senescing plants, the added Se strengthened the antioxidative capacity also by preventing the reduction of tocopherol concentration and by enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. When no Se was added, tocopherols and SOD activity diminished during plant senescence. The higher Se dosage (1.0 mg kg^–1 soil) was toxic and reduced the yield of young plants. In the senescing plants, it diminished the dry weight yield but not the fresh weight yield.     

盐生境下硅对坪用高羊茅生物学特性的影响

干旱半干旱区草坪绿地的长期灌溉容易引发土壤次生盐渍化,提高草坪草在盐生境下的生长发育能力是应对土壤次生盐渍化的主要途径之一.采用盆栽试验研究了盐生境下硅对坪用高羊茅(Festuca arundinaea)生物学特性的影响.结果表明,向盐生境土壤中添加不同浓度硅均提前高羊茅出苗时间2d,加快出苗速率,增加出苗总数,提高保苗率,且总出苗率和保苗率随着硅浓度增加而显著增大(P＜0.05),这说明盐生境下向土壤添加硅改善了幼苗完全死亡的现象.盐生境下硅显著增加了高羊茅叶长,株高和分蘖数,但对叶宽影响不显著,说明硅能够促进高羊茅生长,但对草坪绿地的质地影响不大.虽然硅能显著增加高羊茅总生物量(P＜0.05),但较低浓度时促进其茎叶生长,高浓度促进其根系生长.硅在高羊茅体内的沉积量随施入硅增加而增大,但其茎叶和根系内硅含量不超过3.0％,且根系内硅含量约为茎叶内硅含量的2倍.结果显示,硅提高了坪用高羊茅在盐生境下的适应能力,这为以后草坪绿地管理中应对土壤潜在盐渍化的问题提供了一定的科学依据.     

Soil factors affecting selenium concentration in wheat grain and the fate and speciation of Se fertilisers applied to soil

UK crops have a low selenium (Se) status, therefore Se fertilisation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at 10 field sites was investigated and the effect on the content and speciation of Se in soils determined. Soil characterisation was carried out at each field site to determine the soil factors that may influence wheat grain Se concentrations in unfertilised plots. Soil samples were taken after harvest from each treatment to determine the fate and speciation of selenate fertiliser applied to soil. Wheat grain Se concentrations could be predicted from soil Se concentration and soil extractable sulphur (S) using the following regression model: Grain Se?=?a?+?b(total soil Se)?+?c(extractable soil Se) - d(extractable soil S), with 86 % of the variance being accounted for, suggesting that these properties control Se concentrations in grain from unfertilised plots. Extractable soil Se concentrations were low (2.4 – 12.4 µg kg^?1) and predominantly consisted of selenite (up to 70 % of extractable Se) and soluble organic forms, whereas selenate was below the detection limit. Little of the added Se, in either liquid or granular form was left in the soil after crop harvest. Se fertilisation up to 20 g ha^?1 did not lead to a significant Se accumulation in the soil, suggesting losses of Se unutilised by the crop.     

Selenium Accumulation by Brassica Napus Grown in Se-Laden Soil From Different Depths of Kesterson Reservoir

Selenium (Se) may be present in soils and sediments in high concentrations and yet not be mobile or available for plant uptake. Phytoremediation of Se by canola (Brassica napus) was evaluated in sediment from Kesterson Reservoir at three different depths (0 to 30, 30 to 60, 60 to 90?cm) under greenhouse and field conditions. In the greenhouse study, total soil Se concentrations at preplant ranged from 10 to 112?mg kg^?1. Shoot Se concentrations of canola were 182, 53, and 19?mg kg^?1 DM in the 0 to 30, 30 to 60, and 60 to 90?cm depths, respectively. Percentages of Se accumulated by canola relative to total Se loss in the soil at postharvest were as high as 24%. In the field study, total soil Se concentrations were as high as 26?mg kg^?1 soil. Field-grown canola accumulated approximately 50?mg kg^?1 DM, which accounted for less than 10% of total Se lost in the soil at postharvest. Phytoremediation of Se-laden soils under field conditions was about 50% of that observed under controlled greenhouse conditions. This relationship may be useful for prediction of field remediation operation using greenhouse generated data.     

环境中硒的生物地球化学循环和营养调控及分异成因

硒是环境中重要的生命元素,它在环境中含量水平的高低直接影响着人及动植物的健康安全。结合国内外资料及最新的研究进展,阐述了环境中硒的生物地球球化学循环,包括环境中硒的生物地球化学循环特征,土壤中硒的含量分布、形态及有效性,大气和水环境中硒的形态分布,植物体中的硒及其对硒的吸收关系;讨论了低硒高硒环境中硒营养水平的调节及环境分异的成因,诸如母质类型、气候特征、风化淋失、气体挥发、土壤质地和地力耗竭等方面;并提出了环境中硒研究的前沿及今后关注的热点问题,以促进今后环境中硒的研究。     

Accumulation and volatilization of different chemical species of selenium by plants

Selenium (Se) removal from polluted waters and soils is especially complicated and highly expensive. Phytoremediation has been suggested as a low-cost, efficient technology for Se removal. Plants remove Se by uptake and accumulation in their tissues, and by volatilization into the atmosphere as a harmless gas. Unraveling the mechanisms of Se uptake and volatilization in plants may lead to ways of increasing the efficiency of the phytoremediation process. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the effect of different Se forms in the root substrate on the capacity of some plant species to take up and volatilize Se; (ii) to determine the chemical species of Se in different plant parts after the plants were supplied with various forms of Se; and (iii) to determine the influence of increasing sulfate levels on plant uptake, translocation, and volatilization of different Se species. Plants of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown hydroponically in growth chambers and treated for 1 week with 20 μM Se as Na₂SeO₄, Na₂SeO₃ or L-selenomethionine (SeMeth) and increasing sulfate levels. The data show that shoots of SeO₄-supplied plants accumulated the greatest amount of Se, followed by those supplied with SeMeth then SeO₃. In roots, the highest Se concentrations were attained when SeMeth was supplied, followed by SeO₃, then SeO₄. The rate of Se volatilization by plants followed the same pattern as that of Se accumulation in roots, but the differences were greater. Speciation analysis (X-ray absorption spectroscopy) showed that most of the Se taken up by SeO₄-supplied plants remained unchanged, whereas plants supplied with SeO₃ or SeMeth contained only SeMeth-like species. Increasing the sulfate level from 0.25 mM to 10 mM inhibited SeO₃ and SeMeth uptake by 33% and 15–25%, respectively, as compared to an inhibition of 90% of SeO₄ uptake. Similar results were observed with regard to sulfate effects on volatilization. We conclude that reduction from SeO₄ to SeO₃ appears to be a rate-limiting step in the production of volatile Se compounds by plants. Inhibitory effects of sulfate on the uptake and volatilization of Se may be reduced substantially if Se is supplied as, or converted to, SeO₃ and/or SeMeth rather than SeO₄. Received: 27 February 1998 / Accepted: 30 March 1998     

Spatial imaging, speciation, and quantification of selenium in the hyperaccumulator plants Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata

Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata hyperaccumulate selenium (Se) up to 1% of plant dry weight. In the field, Se was mostly present in the young leaves and reproductive tissues of both hyperaccumulators. Microfocused scanning x-ray fluorescence mapping revealed that Se was hyperaccumulated in trichomes in young leaves of A. bisulcatus. None of 10 other elements tested were accumulated in trichomes. Micro x-ray absorption spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that Se in trichomes was present in the organic forms methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys; 53%) and gamma-glutamyl-MeSeCys (47%). In the young leaf itself, there was 30% inorganic Se (selenate and selenite) in addition to 70% MeSeCys. In young S. pinnata leaves, Se was highly concentrated near the leaf edge and surface in globular structures that were shown by energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis to be mainly in epidermal cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed both MeSeCys (88%) and selenocystathionine (12%) inside leaf edges. In contrast, both the Se accumulator Brassica juncea and the nonaccumulator Arabidopsis thaliana accumulated Se in their leaf vascular tissues and mesophyll cells. Se in hyperaccumulators appears to be mobile in both the xylem and phloem because Se-treated S. pinnata was found to be highly toxic to phloem-feeding aphids, and MeSeCys was present in the vascular tissues of a S. pinnata young leaf petiole as well as in guttation fluid. The compartmentation of organic selenocompounds in specific storage areas in the plant periphery appears to be a unique property of Se hyperaccumulators. The high concentration of Se in the plant periphery may contribute to Se tolerance and may also serve as an elemental plant defense mechanism.     

Accumulation of selenium by different plant species grown under increasing sodium and calcium chloride salinity

High levels of naturally occurring selenium (Se) are often found in conjunction with different forms of salinity in central California. Plants considered for use in phytoremediation of high Se levels must therefore be salt tolerant. Selenium accumulation was evaluated for the following species under increasing salt (NaCl and CaCl) conditions:Brassica napus L. (canola),Hibiscus cannibinus L. (kenaf),Festuca arundinacea L. (tall fescue), andLotus tenuis L. (birdsfoot trefoil). The experimental design was a complete randomized block with four salt treatments of <1, 5, 10, and 20 dS m^-1, four plant species, three blocks, and six replicates per treatment. Ninety days after growing in the respective salt treated soil with a Se concentration of 2 mg Se kg^-1 soil, added as Na₂SeO₄, all plant species were completely harvested. Among the species tested, shoot and root dry matter yield of kenaf was most significantly (p<0.001) affected by the highest salt treatment and tall fescue and canola were the least affected species. Generally there was a decrease in tissue accumulation of Se with increasing salt levels, except that low levels of salinity stimulated Se accumulation in canola. Canola leaf and root tissue accumulated the highest concentrations of Se (315 and 80 mg Se kg^-1 DM) and tall fescue the least (35 and 7 mg Se kg^-1 DM). Total soil Se concentrations all harvest were significantly (p<0.05) lower for all species at all salt treatments. Removal of Se from soil was greatest by canola followed by birdsfoot trefoil, kenaf and tall fescue. Among the four species, canola was the best candidate for removing Se under the tested salinity conditions. Kenaf may be effective because of its large biomass production, while tall fescue and birdsfoot trefoil may be effective because they can be repeatedly clipped as perennial crops.