Effects of pH and selenium oxidation state on the selenium accumulation and yield of alfalfa

Experiments were performed in greenhouse sand culture to determine the effect of pH and Se oxidation state on the tissue composition and yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Alfalfa was planted and irrigated with nutrient solution containing 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 3.0 mg Se L‐1 as Na2SeO3 or Na2SeOl4. The solution pH was maintained at 7.0 ± 0.2 or 4.5±0.2. Three harvests were made and the shoots and roots weighed and analyzed for total Se. At the levels tested, additions of Se to the treatment solutions increased the tissue Se concentrations and depressed alfalfa shoot growth regardless of Se oxidation state or pH. Root growth was reduced in the presence of Se(VI) but was unaffected by Se(IV). Selenium was accumulated to higher concentrations in the shoot when supplied as Se(VI) compared to Se(IV) and accumulated to higher concentrations in the root when added as Se(IV) compared to Se(VI). Relative shoot yields were depressed more by Se(IV) then Se(VI) at pH 7, but there was no difference between Se(IV) and Se(VI) at pH 4.5. Relative root yields were depressed by Se(VI) but not by Se(IV).