title: The effect of selenium and UV radiation on leaf traits and biomass production in Triticum aestivum L.
abstract: UV radiation as an evolutionarily important environmental factor, significantly affects plants traits and alters the effects of other environmental factors. Single and combined effects of ambient UV radiation, its exclusion, and Se foliar treatments on Si concentrations and production of Si phytoliths in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. 'Reska' were studied. The effects of these treatments on growth parameters of the plants, structural and biochemical traits of the leaves, and interactions of the leaves with light, as Si incrustation is the first barrier to light at the leaf surface were also examined. Under ambient UV radiation and foliar treatment with 10mgL-1sodium selenate solution, there was a trade-off between the plant investment in primary and secondary metabolism, as the production of UV-absorbing compounds was enhanced while photosynthetic pigment levels were reduced. Independent of Se treatment, ambient UV radiation lowered respiratory potential, Ca concentration, and leaf thickness, and increased Si concentration, Si phytoliths formation, and cuticle thickness. The Se treatment has little effect on plant traits and biomass production but it increased Se concentrations in the plants by >100-fold, independent of UV radiation. In combination with UV radiation Se strengthen the protection of plants against stress by increasing the amount of UV absorbing compounds, light reflectance and transmittance.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: aleksandra.golob@bf.uni-lj.si.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golob
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kavčič
authors.affiliation: Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Vekoslava
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stibilj
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Alenka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaberščik
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vogel-Mikuš
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Mateja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Germ
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D012643:Selenium / Q000633:toxicity*; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012643:Selenium
keywords: Growth parameters; Optical properties; Selenium; Silicon; Wheat