Biofortification of common buckwheat microgreens and seeds with different forms of selenium and iodine

BACKGROUND The biofortification of crops can counteract human diseases, including selenium (Se) and iodine (I) deficiencies in the diet. Little is known about the effects of combinations of Se and I on microgreens and seeds, or on their accumulation in these tissues. The present study aimed to evaluate Se (SeO32−, SeO42−) and I (I−, IO3−) biofortification of common buckwheat microgreens and seeds with respect to the effects of the addition of Se, I and Se + I on yield and on physiological and biochemical characteristics. RESULTS In combination treatments, microgreens yield (600–800 g m−2) was 50–70% higher than for Se and I alone. The respiratory potential also increased by 60–120%. Fv/Fm was close to 0.8 in all samples. Se content [0.24 μg g−1 dry weight (DW)] was 50% higher for combination treatments than for Se and I alone. I content was highest for IO3− treatment (216 μg g−1 DW) and decreased in combination treatments with Se by 50%. CONCLUSION Biofortification of buckwheat microgreens with Se and I should be performed with care because there are synergistic and antagonistic effects of these elements with respect to their accumulation. IO3− for the biofortification of microgreens should be kept low to prevent exceeding the recommended daily intake of I.