Kale carotenoids are unaffected by, whereas biomass production, elemental concentrations, and selenium accumulation respond to, changes in selenium fertility.
Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient in mammalian nutrition and is accumulated in kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala), which has high levels of lutein and beta-carotene. Selenium, lutein, and beta-carotene have important human health benefits and possess strong antioxidant properties. The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of different Se [as sodium selenate (Na(2)SeO(4)) and sodium selenite (Na(2)SeO(3))] fertility levels on (1) biomass accumulation, (2) the accumulation patterns of carotenoid pigments, and (3) elemental accumulation in the leaves of kale. Winterbor kale was greenhouse-grown using nutrient solution culture with Se treatment concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 mg Se/L as Na(2)SeO(4) and 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mg Se/L as Na(2)SeO(3). Increases in either selenate (SeO(4)(-)(2)) or selenite (SeO(3)(-)(2)) resulted in decreases in kale leaf tissue biomass. Neither of the Se treatments had an effect on the accumulation of lutein or beta-carotene in leaf tissues. Increasing SeO(4)(-)(2) significantly increased the accumulation of kale leaf Se; however, leaf tissue Se did not significantly change over the SeO(3)(-)(2) treatments. Increases in SeO(4)(-)(2) affected the leaf tissue concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Mn, and Mo, whereas SeO(3)(-)(2) only affected B and S. Growing kale in the presence of SeO(4)(-)(2) would result in the accumulation of high levels of tissue Se without affecting carotenoid concentrations.
Lefsrud
Mark G
MG
Plant Sciences Department, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
Kopsell
Dean A
DA
Kopsell
David E
DE
Randle
William M
WM
D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D064586:Selenic Acid; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000032:analysis; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis
D005308:Fertilizers; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; D013455:Sulfur; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D064586:Selenic Acid