The effect of different compounds of selenium and iodine on selected biochemical and physiological characteristics in common buckwheat and pumpkin sprouts

Abstract

There is little data about possible interactions between selenium and iodine on plants. Se is essential for I metabolism in the thyroid in mammals. Thus, it is of great importance to carry out the research with simultaneous application of both elements in plant cultivation that are used for human consumption. Seeds of common buckwheat and pumpkins were soaked in solutions: 10 mgSe/L in the form of selenite or selenate, and 1000 mgI/L in the form of iodide or iodate and their combinations. The content of chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids were measured. Further, the measurements of fluorescence of chlorophyll a were performed. Control buckwheat sprouts and sprouts from seeds soaked in Se(VI) and Se(VI)+I(-1), had the lowest and similar amount of chlorophyll a and carotenoids. There was little effect of different treatments on potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PS II) in common buckwheat sprouts. In pumpkin sprouts neither of treatment affected the amount of photosynthetic pigments, as well as potential photochemical efficiency of (PS II) which was around 0.8.

Keywords

• sprouts
• common buckwheat
• pumpkins
• selenium
• iodine