Thesis supervisor: Zsuzsanna Ördögné Dr. habil. Kolbert
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged Abbreviation of location of studies: SZTE
Description of the research topic:
In Hungary, there is a risk of insufficient selenium (Se) intake due to the low Se supply of the inland topsoils. Agricultural biofortification provides solution for the alleviation of selenium-deficiency. During the planned research, we aim to study whether our favourable crop, green pea can be used as a target species for biofortification. In order to explore this, we have to know the properties of Se enrichment and speciation in pea; we have to determine the possible changes in the vegetative-reproductive development of pea and in the quality parameters of pea seeds. At the same time, the special behaviour of Se in the soil-water-plant-animal-human system, namely its exceptional mobility and virtually unlimited accumulation without toxic symptoms in the aboveground and edible plant parts; however can cause a risk to human health and food safety. Thus, our goal is to examine the partly known phytotoxicity mechanisms of Se. Based on our previous results, it is attractive to hypothesize that besides oxidative stress reactive nitrogen species-dependent nitrosative processes also occur in Se-stressed plants contributing to Se phytotoxicity. In order to verify this, we need to determine the Se-triggered changes in the metabolism of reactive oxygen- and nitrogen species and in the processes of nitro-oxidative stress (e.g. protein nitration, oxidation).
Required language skills: angol Number of students who can be accepted: 1
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