EFFECTS OF SELENIUM ENRICHMENT OF TOMATO PLANTS ON RIPE FRUIT METABOLISM AND COMPOSITION

The effects of selenium (Se) addition on production and quality traits of Solanum lycopersicon ‘Red Bunch’ were investigated. Se was added as sodium selenate at the rate of 0, 0.5 and 1 mg Se L^-1 to the nutrient solution. Se was absorbed by roots and accumulated in leaves and fruits, and at the tested concentrations, it did not affect yield. Se concentration followed a gradient, decreasing from the basal to the apical part of the plant. At red ripe stage, the fruits on the lower trusses accumulated higher amount of Se than the fruits of the higher trusses. β-carotene and lutein significantly decreased only at 1.0 mg Se L^-1. Lycopene increased either in 0.5 and, less markedly, 1.0 mg Se L^-1-treated fruits where a pronounced increase in quercetin was also observed.