Responses of Physiological Traits and Nutritional Ingredients Content in Flowers of Medicinal Chrysanthemum to Selenium Application at Different Growth Stages

Abstract

The paper mainly studied the effects of selenium (Se) application time on physiological traits and nutritional ingredients in flowers of medicinal chrysanthemum. Flower dry weight and Se concentration in flower were significantly increased by Se application at vigorous growth, bud differentiation and bud stages. Spraying Se at seedling and flower stages evidently increased Se concentration, but did not affect flower dry weight. The rate of superoxide radical production, hydrogen peroxide (H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>) and malondialdehyde concentration were significantly decreased by Se application at vigorous growth (except for H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>), bud differentiation and bud stages. At five growth stages, Se application significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity. At bud differentiation and bud stages, Se application significantly increased penylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme activity, chlorogenic acid, free amino acid and vitamin C content. These results indicated that Se applied at bud differentiation---bud stage was more beneficial for flower dry weight, Se concentration and nutritional ingredients content in flowers.