Combined effects of selenium and drought on photosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration in potato

The possible effects of selenium (Se) foliar spraying and drought were studied for 3 months in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Desiree in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Four combinations of treatments were conducted: well-watered plants with and without Se foliar spraying, and drought exposed plants with and without Se foliar spraying. The following parameters were monitored 2 and 4 weeks after treatments: net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), and respiratory potential measured by electron transport system activity. After 3 months of treatments, leaf water potential and tuber yield were determined. The content of Se in tubers was measured after harvesting time. Several effects of drought and Se foliar spraying and their combinations were found. Net photosynthesis and respiratory potential were lower in drought exposed plants 4 weeks after treatments. Se induced higher respiratory potential in the leaves 4 weeks after treatments. Higher efficiency of energy conversion in PSII, expressed by a higher effective quantum yield, was observed in Se treated plants 2 weeks after treatments. Foliarly applied Se was efficiently absorbed by plant leaves and transported to the tubers.