Water extract of Fagopyrum dibotrys (D. Don) Hara straw increases selenium accumulation in peach seedlings under selenium-contaminated soil

Abstract

To promote the selenium (Se) uptakes in fruit trees under Se-contaminated soil, the effects of water extract of Fagopyrum dibotrys (D. Don) Hara straw on the Se accumulation in peach seedlings under selenium-contaminated soil were studied. The results showed that the root biomass, chlorophyll content, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and soluble protein content of peach seedlings were increased by the F. dibotrys straw extract. The different forms of Se (total Se, inorganic Se, and organic Se) were also increased in peach seedlings following treatment with the F. dibotrys straw extract. The highest total shoot Se content was treated by the 300-fold dilution of F. dibotrys straw, which was 30.87% higher than the control. The F. dibotrys straw extract also increased the activities of adenosine triphosphate sulfurase (ATPS), and adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase (APR) in peach seedlings, but decreased the activity of serine acetyltransferase (SAT). Additionally, correlation and grey relational analyses revealed that chlorophyll a content, APR activity, and root biomass were closely associated with the total shoot Se content. Overall, this study shows that the water extract of F. dibotrys straw can promote Se uptake in peach seedlings, and 300-fold dilution is the most suitable concentration.