The effect of nano selenium on germination of cherry tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme) under irrigation and water stress conditions

Selenium is a beneficial element with antioxidant properties that increases plant growth and tolerance under environmental stress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of selenium nanoparticles on some germination characteristics of cherry tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L. var.cerasiforme) under normal irrigation conditions and water stress in a completely randomized design with application of 4 treatment levels (zero, 2, 4 and 10 Mg/l) and the interaction of selenium on drought (4% PEG) was repeated 3 times. For this purpose, after disinfecting the seeds, they were placed in plates containing filter paper and soluble selenium with certain concentrations (sodium selenate as control of bulk and nano selenium) was added to the seed growth medium every three days. 2 days after the second selenium treatment, water stress was applied with 4% polyethylene glycol. The evaluated traits included percentage and speed germination, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings. The results showed that the highest shoot length, seed germination and fresh weight in 4 Mg/l selenium treatments (sodium selenate and nano selenium) under normal irrigation and water stress conditions and the lowest shoot length, root shoot, seed germination, weight Wet, percentage and germination rate were observed at high concentrations of selenium (10 Mg/l) compared to the control under normal irrigation and water stress conditions. In general, 4 Mg/l selenium treatment increased plant tolerance to drought stress and seedling growth.