Abstract

The interactions between the uptake of selenium (as selenite and selenate) and iodine (as iodate and iodide) by red chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi) and their effects on selected morphological and physiological characteristics were investigated. Seedlings were transplanted to the field, and at the onset of head formation, the plants were foliar-sprayed with the following solutions: Milli-Q water (control), Se (IV), Se (VI), I (−I), I (V), Se (IV) + I (−I), Se (IV) + I (V), Se (VI) + I (−I) and Se (VI) + I (V). The different treatments had no significant effects on the yield (39.8–51.5 t ha−1) and mass (970–1200 g) of the chicory heads. The selenium content in Se-treated plants was up to 5.5-times greater than the control plants. The iodine content in the chicory leaves enriched with I was 3.5-times greater than the control plants. Iodide or iodate, applied together with selenite in the spray solution, increased the uptake of Se by chicory plants, while both forms of iodine, applied together with selenate, reduced the uptake of Se. Plants treated with I (V) had lower amounts of chlorophyll a and carotenoids than the control, while respiratory potential was higher than the control, which indicated the possible presence of stress in I (V)-treated plants. However, the potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II was similar and close to the theoretical maximum (0.83) in the control and treated groups, which indicated that all of the plants were in good condition. Furthermore, the plant mass and yield were comparable in the control and treated groups. Molecular studies, like gene expression analysis, would represent a major upgrade of the present study by defining the mechanisms of Se and I uptake and their interactions and by enhancing the knowledge of the Se and I transporters.

Highlights

  • The trace elements iodine (I) and selenium (Se) are essential for the normal function of the thyroid gland [1]

  • The number of leaves that were removed to obtain the marketable mass of chicory heads, the marketable mass of chicory and the mass of the above ground plant parts were not different between the control and treated plants (Table 1)

  • These data are generally in accordance with the findings of Zhu et al [17], who studied the uptake of Se and I by spinach

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Summary

Introduction

The trace elements iodine (I) and selenium (Se) are essential for the normal function of the thyroid gland [1]. The main reason for insufficient intake of I and Se in humans is their low content in vegetables [2,3]. Their uptake and further transfer along the food chain is low. Iodine is a micronutrient that is essential for the correct physiological functioning of humans and animals (mainly mammals) [4]. Iodine-deficiency disorders are the consequence of insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones, the obvious sign of which is goitre, the enlargement of Plants 2020, 9, 1766; doi:10.3390/plants9121766 www.mdpi.com/journal/plants

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