Variation of selenium content in growing wild plants during vegetative period

There is evidence that selenium (Se) is essential for humans, animals, and some species of microorganisms. This study examines the dynamics of the change of Se accumulation in some growing wild plants: Astragalus onobrychis var. Chlorocarpus (Gris.) Stoj. et Stef. (Leguminosae), Oxytropis pilosa (L.) DC., Salvia officinalis, L., and Simphytum ottomanum L. The influences of some ecological factors (Se content in soil, temperature, and rainfall) have also been surveyed. The Se content of plants from Serbia was 44.5 to 177.0 microg/kg of dry weight. Astragalus onobrychis var. Chlorocarpus (Gris.) Stoj. et Stef. (Leguminosae) accumulates the highest Se content in the blooming stage (161.3 microg/kg). All soils studied were deficient in selenium (< 250 microg/kg). We found a significant correlation between Se content in plants and in the soil (p = 0.88). Rainfall has an influence on Se content in Oxytropis, Salvia, and Simphytum, but not in Astragalus. Our results suggest that Se cannot have a similar role in all plants examined.