Selenium alleviates chromium stress and promotes chromium uptake in As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata: Cr reduction and cellar distribution.

Arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata exhibits remarkable absorption ability for chromium (Cr) while beneficial element selenium (Se) helps to reduce Cr-induced stress in plants. However, the effects of Se on the Cr uptake and the associated mechanisms in P. vittata are unclear, which were investigated in this study. P. vittata plants were grown for 14 days in 0.2-strength Hoagland solution containing 10 (Cr) or 100 μM (Cr) chromate (CrVI) and 1 μM selenate (Se). The plant biomass, malondialdehyde contents, total Cr and Se contents, Cr speciation, expression of genes associated with Cr uptake, and Cr subcellular distribution in P. vittata were determined. P. vittata effectively accumulated Cr by concentrating 96-99% in the roots under Cr treatment. Further, Se substantially increased its Cr contents by 98% to 11,596 mg kg in the roots, which may result from Se's role in reducing its oxidative stress as supported by 27-62% reduction in the malondialdehyde contents. Though supplied with CrVI, up to 98% of the Cr in the roots was reduced to insoluble chromite (CrIII), with 83-89% being distributed on root cell walls. Neither Cr nor Se upregulated the expression of sulfate transporters PvSultr1;1-1;2 or phosphate transporter PvPht1;4, indicating their limited role in Cr uptake. P. vittata effectively accumulates Cr in the roots mainly as CrIII on cell walls and Se effectively enhances its Cr uptake by reducing its oxidative stress. Our study suggests that Se can be used to enhance P. vittata Cr uptake and reduce its oxidative stress, which may have application in phytostabilization of Cr-contaminated soils.