Selenium Nanoparticles Help Grapevines Cope with Drought Stress

Greg Howard
6th August, 2024

Selenium Nanoparticles Help Grapevines Cope with Drought Stress

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Yozgat Bozok University found that selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) improved drought tolerance in grapevine saplings
  • Se-NP-treated grapevines showed better growth, water retention, and higher relative water content under drought conditions
  • Se-NPs increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage in grapevine saplings during drought
Drought is a critical environmental stressor that significantly hampers plant growth, development, and metabolic activities, leading to reduced yield and quality in crops. This issue poses a substantial threat to global food security. In recent years, nanotechnology has shown promise in addressing various environmental challenges, but its application in grapevines remains unexplored. A recent study conducted by researchers at Yozgat Bozok University aimed to investigate the potential of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in modulating morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters in grapevine saplings under drought stress conditions[1]. The study focused on different grapevine saplings: 5 BB/Crimson Seedless, 41 B/Crimson Seedless, and 1103 P/Crimson Seedless. The researchers applied Se-NPs to these saplings and observed their responses under drought conditions. The primary objective was to determine whether Se-NPs could enhance drought tolerance and improve overall plant health. The study found that Se-NPs positively influenced several key parameters in the grapevine saplings. Morphologically, the treated plants showed improved growth metrics compared to untreated ones. Physiologically, the Se-NP-treated plants exhibited better water retention and higher relative water content (RWC), which are crucial for maintaining plant health during drought. Biochemically, the application of Se-NPs led to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which play a vital role in mitigating oxidative stress caused by drought. These findings align with previous studies that have demonstrated the beneficial effects of nanoparticles in other crops under various stress conditions. For instance, a study on strawberries showed that spraying solutions containing nanoparticles of SiO2, Se, and Se/SiO2 improved growth and yield under drought stress by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and maintaining higher RWC[2]. Similarly, research on wheat indicated that iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) could alleviate oxidative stress and improve yield under cadmium and drought stress[3]. The current study on grapevines extends these findings by highlighting the potential of Se-NPs specifically in grapevine saplings under drought conditions. The mechanism behind the improved drought tolerance in Se-NP-treated grapevines involves several factors. First, the nanoparticles enhance the plant's antioxidant defense system, reducing the levels of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during drought stress. This reduction in ROS prevents cellular damage and maintains cellular integrity. Second, the improved water retention and higher RWC in Se-NP-treated plants help sustain physiological processes and delay wilting under drought conditions. These combined effects contribute to the overall improved health and resilience of the grapevine saplings. Furthermore, the study's results are consistent with earlier research on the role of transcription factors in enhancing drought tolerance. For example, overexpression of the NAC transcription factor VvNAC17 in Arabidopsis thaliana improved drought resistance by upregulating stress-related genes and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities[4]. Although this study focused on genetic modification, the underlying principle of enhancing the plant's stress response mechanisms remains relevant and is achieved through different means in the current study using Se-NPs. In conclusion, the application of selenium nanoparticles offers a promising strategy to mitigate drought stress in grapevine saplings. The study conducted by Yozgat Bozok University provides valuable insights into the potential of Se-NPs to enhance drought tolerance by improving morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters. These findings, supported by prior research on other crops and stress conditions, underscore the broader applicability of nanotechnology in agriculture. Further field investigations and optimization of nanoparticle concentrations are necessary to fully harness the benefits of Se-NPs and other nanoparticles in enhancing crop resilience to environmental stressors.

AgricultureBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Modulatory effects of selenium nanoparticles against drought stress in some grapevine rootstock/scion combinations

Published 5th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-024-00609-6

Related Studies

2) Selenium and silica nanostructure-based recovery of strawberry plants subjected to drought stress.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74273-9

3) Simultaneous mitigation of cadmium and drought stress in wheat by soil application of iron nanoparticles.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124681

4) VvNAC17, a novel stress-responsive grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) NAC transcription factor, increases sensitivity to abscisic acid and enhances salinity, freezing, and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.11.002


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