Selenate toxicity effects on bush beans grown in solution culture

Bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Improved Tendergreen) were grown in solution culture with 0, 10‐6, 10‐4, and 10‐3 M levels of Na2SeO3. Mild toxicity was obtained for 10‐4 M and severe toxicity at 10‐3. At severe toxicity, leaves were stunted and had brown spots. Selenium was fairly evenly distributed in plant parts. At severe toxicity, concentrations in μg/g were leaves 901, stems 1058, and roots 1842. The high level of Se also decreased P, Ca, Mg, Mn and K concentrations in leaves and P and Ca in roots. Silicon and Ti tended to be higher with the highest Se level.