A recent study published in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC, 2025) by Lai Xiyue and colleagues from Anhui Science and Technology University and Anhui Agricultural University explores how varying concentrations of sodium selenite affect the growth and selenium accumulation in tissue-cultured seedlings of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, a medicinal herb known for its cardiovascular and respiratory health benefits.
The researchers tested 12 concentrations of sodium selenite ranging from 0.00 to 1.00 mg L⁻¹. Their findings revealed that low concentrations—particularly 0.005 mg L⁻¹—significantly improved root growth, plant height, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, and soluble protein content. At 0.05 mg L⁻¹, the seedlings showed a marked increase in soluble and reducing sugars, contributing to stronger growth and metabolic activity.
Higher sodium selenite levels, however, inhibited growth, suggesting toxicity at elevated concentrations. Selenium accumulation analysis showed that total and organic selenium levels increased with concentration, with leaves exhibiting the highest conversion of inorganic to organic selenium forms.
This experiment demonstrates that moderate selenium supplementation can optimize both the physiological health and selenium enrichment of T. kirilowii seedlings. The study provides a valuable foundation for producing selenium-rich medicinal plants through tissue culture—a sustainable, disease-free propagation method.
Reference
Xiyue, L., Hassan, M. A., Baishuo, Z., Guangrong, C., & Keqin, H. (2025). Influence of sodium selenite concentrations on growth and selenium accumulation in tissue-cultured seedlings of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 163(2), 51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03257-2
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