Effect of Selenium Enrichment on the Growth, Photosynthesis and Mineral Nutrition of Broccoli

Abstract

Broccoli is placed in primary selenium (Se) accumulator group plants, which is considered as an important source of Se for providing human daily need. This experiment used an outdoor hydroponic system to evaluate the effects of Se foliar application at the rates of 0, 10, 50, and 100 μg Se/ml concentrations fortnightly. Among yield parameters, the head weight of broccoli was significantly affected. Se treated broccoli plants produced heavier head than the control; however, head weight among three Se concentrations (Se10, Se50, Se100) was not significantly different. Although most of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were not significant, Se treated broccolis maximal fluorescence yield (Fm) was higher than the control. Significant increase in chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll) was observed as a result of Se treatments. Different Se concentrations did not have positive or negative effects on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake. Se treatment at 100 μg Se/ml concentration however, contributed to the highest content of sulfur in broccoli head. Se content of broccoli head increased with the increase in sprayed Se concentrations. The highest concentration of Se (1.41 mg Se/kg dry matter) in broccoli head was recorded in Se100, which showed significant difference compared with Se0 and Se10.