Selenium (Se) applied at high concentrations can increase or decrease the concentrations of macronutrients in plants. The current knowledge of the interactions between Se and essential nutrients (except S) is insufficient and this problem should be investigated further. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Se on concentrations of selected macronutrients in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.). Pea seedlings were grown under growth chamber conditions in Hoagland’s nutrient solution No 1. Se was supplied to the nutrient solution in the form of selenate or selenite at a concentration of 10, 20, 50 and 100 µmol dm-3 when pea seedlings were in the stage of the first pair of leaves. The length of roots as well the concentrations of Se and selected macronutrients (K, P, Ca, S and Mg) in roots and shoots were determined when the seedlings were in the stage of the third pair of leaves. Concentrations of Se and macronutrients were analysed on an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Pea seedlings absorbed Se from the nutrient solution and accumulated it mainly in roots. More Se was accumulated when it was applied in the form of selenate than selenite. Under the influence of Se, a decrease in the accumulation of K, P, Ca, S and Mg in pea seedlings was found, with the exception of shoots treated with selenate, in which an increase in the concentrations of K, Ca and S was observed. Pea seedlings showed greater tolerance to selenate than selenite. Index of tolerance was calculated based on the length of roots. The novelty of the research lies in demonstrating the correlation between K and Ca concentrations and the tolerance of pea seedlings to Se.

24.1.2019