Ramos S.J. author Faquin V. author Guilherme L.R.G. author Castro E.M. author Ávila F.W. author Carvalho G.S. author Bastos C.E.A. author Oliveira C. author text journal article 2010 Selenium is an important element associated with enhancement of antioxidant activity in plants, microorganisms, animals, and humans. In Brazil, the information on Se in agricultural crops is lacking, though there are indications that low levels of Se are consumed by the population. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with pots containing 3 l of nutritive solution in a completely randomized factorial design, with seven Se concentrations (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 µmol/l) and two forms of Se (sodium selenate - Na₂SeO₄ and sodium selenite - Na₂SeO₃), with six replicates. The application of Se as selenate at low concentrations is more appropriate for lettuce biofortification because it favors shoot biomass growth and Se levels in the shoot biomass. Selenium in both forms had two effects on lettuce plant metabolism: at low doses it acted as an antioxidant and enhanced plant growth, whereas at higher levels it reduced yield. selenate; selenite; antioxidant enzymes; biofortification 10.17221/113/2010-PSE https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201012-0008.php https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201012-0008.php continuing 56 12 584 588 2010 12141178 periodical academic journal