Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions

Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are a burgeoning trend in agriculture and industry, with promising applications. However, multiple applications also raise concerns about the potential release of Se NPs in the environment and their impact on crops. This study aimed to assess the effects of Se NPs exp...

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Main Authors: Ezequiel García-Locascio, Edgardo I. Valenzuela, Pabel Cervantes-Avilés
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Plant Nano Biology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773111125000117
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author Ezequiel García-Locascio
Edgardo I. Valenzuela
Pabel Cervantes-Avilés
author_facet Ezequiel García-Locascio
Edgardo I. Valenzuela
Pabel Cervantes-Avilés
author_sort Ezequiel García-Locascio
collection DOAJ
description Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are a burgeoning trend in agriculture and industry, with promising applications. However, multiple applications also raise concerns about the potential release of Se NPs in the environment and their impact on crops. This study aimed to assess the effects of Se NPs exposure on maize (Zea mays) seeds germinating in trays. We evaluated germination quality, seedling growth, fate of Se NPs, and their interactions with other nutrients at 1, 10, and 50 mg/L. The results revealed that 10 mg/L of Se NPs enhanced the germination rate by 16.6 %, while severely inhibiting it with 50 mg/L. The total chlorophyll content and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) increased in a range of 51.8 – 155 % in the seedlings with the exposure of 10 mg/L; however, the proline content increased to 349.4 % with 50 mg/L. Se NPs showed synergisms with Mo, Mn, Mg, K, and Cu in the seed, Zn and Mo in the seedlings, and antagonisms with Mg, Mn, Fe, and Cu in the seedlings. Se content increased between 90 – 350 % in the seed and 97.6 – 1210.5 % in the seedlings. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed deposition of Se NPs near the endosperm, where internalization over time could occur. This study reveals that while Se NPs can enhance maize germination and growth at specific concentrations, excessive exposure can severely affect the development of maize seeds and seedlings, potentially leading to significant economic losses.
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spelling doaj-art-1c9fa09dff1f4e959e4d9c5a19f668072025-02-10T04:35:32ZengElsevierPlant Nano Biology2773-11112025-02-0111100144Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactionsEzequiel García-Locascio0Edgardo I. Valenzuela1Pabel Cervantes-Avilés2Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, Puebla, Pue CP 72453, MéxicoTecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, Puebla, Pue CP 72453, MéxicoCorresponding author.; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, Puebla, Pue CP 72453, MéxicoSelenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are a burgeoning trend in agriculture and industry, with promising applications. However, multiple applications also raise concerns about the potential release of Se NPs in the environment and their impact on crops. This study aimed to assess the effects of Se NPs exposure on maize (Zea mays) seeds germinating in trays. We evaluated germination quality, seedling growth, fate of Se NPs, and their interactions with other nutrients at 1, 10, and 50 mg/L. The results revealed that 10 mg/L of Se NPs enhanced the germination rate by 16.6 %, while severely inhibiting it with 50 mg/L. The total chlorophyll content and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) increased in a range of 51.8 – 155 % in the seedlings with the exposure of 10 mg/L; however, the proline content increased to 349.4 % with 50 mg/L. Se NPs showed synergisms with Mo, Mn, Mg, K, and Cu in the seed, Zn and Mo in the seedlings, and antagonisms with Mg, Mn, Fe, and Cu in the seedlings. Se content increased between 90 – 350 % in the seed and 97.6 – 1210.5 % in the seedlings. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed deposition of Se NPs near the endosperm, where internalization over time could occur. This study reveals that while Se NPs can enhance maize germination and growth at specific concentrations, excessive exposure can severely affect the development of maize seeds and seedlings, potentially leading to significant economic losses.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773111125000117Nano-AgrochemicalsNanoseleniumZea maysChlorophyllTACProline
spellingShingle Ezequiel García-Locascio
Edgardo I. Valenzuela
Pabel Cervantes-Avilés
Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
Plant Nano Biology
Nano-Agrochemicals
Nanoselenium
Zea mays
Chlorophyll
TAC
Proline
title Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
title_full Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
title_fullStr Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
title_full_unstemmed Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
title_short Selenium nanoparticles and maize: Understanding the impact on seed germination, growth, and nutrient interactions
title_sort selenium nanoparticles and maize understanding the impact on seed germination growth and nutrient interactions
topic Nano-Agrochemicals
Nanoselenium
Zea mays
Chlorophyll
TAC
Proline
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773111125000117
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AT edgardoivalenzuela seleniumnanoparticlesandmaizeunderstandingtheimpactonseedgerminationgrowthandnutrientinteractions
AT pabelcervantesaviles seleniumnanoparticlesandmaizeunderstandingtheimpactonseedgerminationgrowthandnutrientinteractions