Effects of selenium treatments on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth and concentrations of soluble sugars and starch.
The effect of selenium (Se) treatments on potato growth and Se, soluble sugar, and starch accumulation was investigated. Potato plants were cultivated in quartz sand without or with sodium selenate (0, 0.075, 0.3 mg Se kg(-1) sand). In young potato plants, Se treatment resulted in higher starch concentrations in upper leaves. The tuber yield of Se-treated potato plants was higher and composed of relatively few but large tubers. At harvest, the starch concentration in tubers did not differ significantly between treatments. The higher Se addition (0.3 mg Se kg(-1)) may have delayed the aging of stolons and roots, which was observed as high concentrations of soluble sugar and starch. Together with the earlier results showing elevated starch concentration in Se-treated lettuce, the findings of this research justify the conclusion that Se has positive effects also on potato carbohydrate accumulation and possibly on yield formation.
Department of Applied Biology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. marja.turakainen@helsinki.fi
Marja
M
Turakainen
Helinä
H
Hartikainen
Mervi M
MM
Seppänen
D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D064586:Selenic Acid; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D013213:Starch / Q000032:analysis*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013213:Starch; D012643:Selenium; D064586:Selenic Acid