Responses of Wheat Roots to Exogenous Selenium Supply Under Enhanced Ultraviolet-B

Effects of selenium (Se) on growth and some physiological traits of roots in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Han NO.7086) seedlings exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) stress are reported. Responses of roots were different depending on the Se concentration. Compared with the control, root weight of wheat seedlings treated with 1.0 and 2.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil increased by 39.47% and 16.28%, respectively. The lower amount Se (0.5 mg kg⁻¹) and the higher amount Se treatments (3.0 mg kg⁻¹) did not significantly affect on root weight. Se treatments significantly increased root activity, flavonoids and proline content, and activities of peroxidase and superoxide dimutase in wheat roots exposed to enhanced UV-B. In addition, the treatments with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ significantly reduced malondialdehyde content and the rate of superoxide radical (O₂⁻) production of roots, whereas the higher amount Se treatment only induced a decrease in the rate of O₂⁻ production. The results of this study demonstrated that optimal Se supply promoted roots growth of wheat seedlings, and that optimal Se supply could reduce oxidative stress in wheat roots under enhanced UV-B radiation.