Influence of Selenium on Cadmium Toxicity in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. 4200) at an Early Growth Stage in a Hydroponic System |
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| Authors: | Maryam Haghighi Jaime A Teixeira da Silva |
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| Institution: | 1. Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran;2. Ikenobe, Kagawa-Ken, Japan (retired) |
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| Abstract: | An experiment was established to assess the ability of selenium (Se) to reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity when tomato was grown hydroponically. A factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with six replicates in cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. 4200). The Se was applied at four levels 0 mg L–1 (Se0), 2 mg L–1 Se (Se1), 4 mg L–1 Se (Se2), and 6 mg L–1 Se (Se3)], whereas Cd was applied at three levels 0 µM Cd (Cd0), 5 µM Cd (Cd1), and 7 µM Cd (Cd2)]. The Se improved the dry weight of roots even when plants were exposed to Cd. Treatment Se1 improved the dry weight of shoots in Cd1 and Cd2. Treatments Se1 and Se2 improved photosynthesis in Cd1. Treatment Se1 significantly improved stomatal conductance in Cd2 at all levels of Se relative to Cd2. The greatest Cd concentration in leaves was observed in Cd2 × Se0 and while Se concentration in solution increased in response to Se1, Se2, and Se3. The greatest Se level reduced Cd uptake the most. Growth and photosynthetic attributes can be negatively affected by Cd, but Se has the ability to buffer, or improve, several attributes. |
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| Keywords: | Chlorophyll content photosynthetic rate stomatal conductance substomatal CO2 |
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