Impact of selenium enrichment on seed potato tubers

The aim of this Study was to investigate the effect of Se enrichment on the growth of sprouts and growth vigour of seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) stored for 2 to 8 months. Our results showed that Se did not affect the duration of dormancy. At the high addition levels (0.075 and 0.9 mg kg(-1) quartz sand), Se had some positive effects on the growth of sprouts. The peak sprouting capacity was reached after 8 months of storage. The highest Se enrichment of tubers had some positive effect oil the free putrescine content ill sprouts. However, the better growth of sprouts was not consistent with the growth vigour of the seed tubers and yield produced. Selenium had no significant effect on the malondialdehyde (MDA) or on the concentration of soluble Sugars and starch. No significant effect of added Se on the early growth, stein and tuber numbers and yield parameters was observed. Irrespective of the level or Se added, the highest yield was harvested from plants produced with seed tubers stored for 6 months. Our results indicate that Se had some positive effects oil the growth of sprouts, but it had no consistent effect on the growth vigour of seed tubers.