In Vitro Evaluation of the Inhibitory Activity of Different Selenium Chemical Forms on the Growth of a <i>Fusarium proliferatum</i> Strain Isolated from Rice Seedlings
Elisabetta Troni,
Giovanni Beccari,
Roberto D’Amato,
Francesco Tini,
David Baldo,
Maria Teresa Senatore,
Gian Maria Beone,
Maria Chiara Fontanella,
Antonio Prodi,
Daniela Businelli,
Lorenzo Covarelli
Affiliations
Elisabetta Troni
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Giovanni Beccari
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Roberto D’Amato
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Francesco Tini
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
David Baldo
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Maria Teresa Senatore
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Gian Maria Beone
Department for Sustainable Food Process, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Piacenza, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
Maria Chiara Fontanella
Department for Sustainable Food Process, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Piacenza, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
Antonio Prodi
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Daniela Businelli
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Lorenzo Covarelli
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
In this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a Fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice were investigated. A concentration-dependent effect was detected. Se reduced fungal growth starting from 10 mg kg−1 and increasing the concentration (15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1) enhanced the inhibitory effect. Se bioactivity was also chemical form dependent. Selenocystine was found to be the most effective at the lowest concentration (5 mg kg−1). Complete growth inhibition was observed at 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystine. Se speciation analysis revealed that fungus was able to change the Se speciation when the lowest Se concentration was applied. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed an alteration of the fungal morphology induced by Se. Considering that the inorganic forms have a higher solubility in water and are cheaper than organic forms, 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite can be suggested as the best combination suitable to inhibit F. proliferatum strain. The addition of low concentrations of Se from selenite to conventional fungicides may be a promising alternative approach for the control of Fusarium species.