Hydroponic Production of Selenium-Enriched Baby Leaves of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) and Its Wild Ancestor Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima)

The human intake of selenium (Se), which is an essential element in animals and humans, can be increased through the consumption vegetables that have been biofortified during cultivation. There increasing interest wild edible plants (WEPs) due to their positive effects on health. In fact, many WEPs are rich microelements, vitamins, dietary fibers, several antioxidant compounds. Among WEPs, sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima) ancestor Swiss chard var. cicla). present study investigated potential fortifying with Se. two subspecies were cultivated a floating system nutrient solution enriched four concentrations Se (0, 1, 3, 5 mg L−1), production quality baby leaves evaluated. addition resulted higher leaf concentration this microelement both subspecies, effect yield (+20%) chlorophyll (+25%) at 1 L−1. nitrates was reduced by treatment regardless (−24%, average). Selenium biofortification more effective than ability species acquire readily available minerals from hydroponic solution. conclusion, accumulated significant amount without negative or quality, thus proving them suitable for Se-enriched leaves.