Influence of selenium, salinity, and boron on alfalfa tissue composition and yield. [Medicago sativa L]

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5336292

Mikkelsen, R L; Haghnia, G H; Page, A L; Bingham, F T

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was grown in greenhouse sand culture to determine the effects of Se(VI), SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ salinity and B on alfalfa tissue composition and yield. A 4 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted with treatments consisting of four Se concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg Se(VI) L/sup -1/ as Na/sub 2/SeO/sub 4/), two B concentrations (0.5 and 3.0 mg B L/sup -1/ as H/sub 3/BO/sub 3/), and two salinity levels (0.5 and 5.0 dS m/sup -1/ as Na/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ and CaSO/sub 4/ x 2H/sub 2/O). Three cuttings were made and the vegetative portions analyzed for dry weight and total Se, S, and B. Plant yields were significantly reduced by both salinity and Se(VI) but not by B. Tissue Se concentrations were positively correlated with Se in the irrigation water but negatively correlated with SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/-salinity and B. Plant Se was reduced from 620 mg Se kg/sup -1/ to less than 7 mg Se kg/sup -1/ in the presence of SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/-salinity. A synergistic effect between Se and S was found at the basal nutrient concentration of SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ (0.5 mM). Tissue S was increased from less than 3 g S kg/sup -1/ to over 10 g S kg/sup -1/ with the addition of 1 mg Se L/sup -1/. Alfalfa can potentially accumulate extremely high concentrations of Se when exposed to soluble Se(VI) in the root zone.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5336292
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 17:1; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALFALFA
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BORON
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
LEGUMINOSAE
MICROORGANISMS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RHIZOBIUM
SALINITY
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SYNERGISM
TOXICITY