Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) were grown at three locations with different altitudes: in Ljubljana (300 m a.s.l.), Podbeže (600 m a.s.l.) and Javorje (1100 m a.s.l.). Experimental plants of both species were divided into two groups. One group was foliarly treated with potassium selenate (10 mg Se L-1; Se treated group), and another one with distilled water (control group). We measured biochemical parameters (contents of chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, UV-A and UV-B absorbing compounds, and anthocyanins), physiological parameters (potential and effective photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, transpiration rate) and anatomical parameters (thicknesses of leaves and leaf tissues, number and size of calcium oxalate druses in leaves). The results did not suggest clear connection between altitude and Se treatment, and parameters measured. There were not any clear gradients of values measured in plants grown at different altitudes, nor consistent differences between Se treated and control group from the same location. Therefore we conclude that observed differences were probably due to coincidence. High values of potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II suggest good physiological state of plants in all experimental groups, and imply that conditions at different altitudes did not pose stress to the plants.
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