Investigation of Photosynthesis Status of Sunflower Plants Up-taking Different Forms of Selenium

Abstract

Consumption of food products low in Selenium (Se) such as China, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand can result in a population with a lower daily intake of Se. Hence, there is a need to increase the organic Se concentration in food products in Se-deficient regions. Accordingly,controlling the Se uptake, metabolism, and dynamic changes in plants will be important to reaching to adequate methods for biofortification.In this regard, in present study, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters of old and young leaves of sunflower plants that had been treated by sodium selenite and sodium selenate at different concentrations in nutrient solution, were measured. The results showed that the response of experimented sunflowers at 0.1 and 0.3 mg L-1 SeVI concentration, for almost all of the considered parameters was significantly better in comparison with controls samples. It means the application of 0.1 and 0.3 mg L-1 SeVI enhanced photosynthesis by increasing the photosynthesis rate (Pn) and the transpiration efficiency (E). Also, Se treatment enhanced the activity of the photosynthetic system by increasing Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo. Then, present study proves the chlorophyll fluorescence or photosynthetic parameters can be used for determining the sufficiency of Se treatment during the production of sunflower by Se.