THE WATER TREATED WITH LOW-FREQUENCY LOW-PRESSURE GLOW PLASMA ENHANCES THE PHYTOAVAILABILITY OF SELENIUM AND PROMOTES THE GROWTH OF SELENIUM-TREATED CUCUMBER PLANTS

Abstract

For its specific physical and physicochemical properties, the water treated with low-frequency low-pressure glow plasma (GPTW) affects the growth of plants and enhances the phytoavalibility of selenium (Se) ions from the nutrient solution. The basic biometric and physiological parameters of cucumber and the uptake of Se ions applied as selenate (Na₂SeO₄) from the nutrient solution prepared using GPTW or distilled water (DW) were compared. In the presence of Se, the fresh weight (f.w.) of shoots of plants growing in water-differentiated nutrient solutions did not differ, whilst their dry weight (d.w.) and leaf area (LA) were higher in plants grown in the GPTW- than in DW-containing medium. The use of GPTW for preparation of the nutrient solution was associated with a substantial improvement of Se ions phytoavailability, compared to the regular growth medium based on DW. Despite the higher Se bioaccumulation in the GPTW- than in DW-based medium, the phytotoxicity of this element was not enhanced. GPTW-induced Se accumulation was remarkable and hence recommended for further study to understand the detailed mechanism GPTW action.