Dual effects of different selenium species on wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and its derivative products account for a major source of dietary intake of selenium (Se) in humans and animals, because of its essentiality due to its presence in vital enzymes. Se antioxidant role has resulted in the popularity of agronomic biofortification practises in Se deficient areas. Controlling Se uptake, metabolism, translocation and accumulation in plants will be important to decrease healthy risk of toxicity and deficiency and to help selecting adequate methods for biofortification. Selenate and selenite are the two main inorganic Se forms available in soil and in most of the studies are given separately. That study reveals that both Se species behave differently but combined the prevalent pattern is that of selenite; so it is taken up faster and it seems that interferes with selenate uptake and transport. Selenium has dual effects on wheat plants; at low concentrations it acts as growth stimulant whereas at high concentrations it reduces root elongation and biomass production and alters uptake and translocation of several essential nutrients. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.