A hydroponic study was conducted to determine the effects of selenium(Se: 0, 3, 6 μmol L~(-1)) on senescence-related oxidative stress in garlic plants grown under two sulfur(S) levels. We evaluated the yields of plants harvested at 160 and 200 days after sowing. Plants grown under a low Se dose(0.3 μmol L~(-1)) at low S level showed higher yields(12.0% increase in fresh weight yield, 13.7% increase in dry weight yield) than the controls, despite a decrease in chlorophyll concentration. Compared with control plants, the Se-treated plants showed lower levels of lipid peroxidation. The Se-treated plants also showed higher activities of glut athione peroxidase and catalase, but lower superoxide dismutase activities. Changes in F_v/F_m values and proline contents were affected more strongly by S than by Se. On the basis of our results, we can conclude that Se plays a key role in the antioxidant systems in garlic seedlings. It delays senescence by alleviating the peroxide stress, but it can be toxic at high levels. A high S level may increase tolerance to high Se concentrations through reducing Se accumulation in plants. A hydroponic study was conducted to determine the effects of selenium (Se: 0, 3, 6 μmol L -1) on senescence-related oxidative stress in garlic plants grown under two sulfur (S) levels. We evaluated the yield of Plants harvested at 160 and 200 days after sowing. Plants grown under a low Se dose (0.3 μmol L -1) at low S levelively higher yields (12.0% increase in fresh weight yield, 13.7% increase in dry weight yield Compared with control plants, the Se-treated plants showed lower levels of lipid peroxidation. The Se-treated plants also showed higher activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, but lower superoxide dismutase activities . Changes in F_v / F_m values ​​and proline contents were affected more strongly by S than by Se. On the basis of our results, we can conclude that Se plays a key role in the antioxidant systems in garlic seedlings. It delays senescence by alleviating the peroxide stress, but it ca n be toxic at high levels. A high S level may increase tolerance to high Se concentrations through reducing Se accumulation in plants.