Effect of Selenium Nanocomposites Based on Natural Polymer Matrices on the Biomass and Storage of Potato Tubers in a Field Experiment

Abstract

The effect of chemically synthesized selenium (Se) nanocomposites (NCs) based on the natural polymer matrices arabinogalactan (AG), carrageenan (CAR), and starch (ST) on potato tuber traits, storage, and crop structure was studied in a field trial. Parental potato tubers were sprayed by Se/AG NC, Se/ST NC, and Se/CAR NC 14 days before planting in the field. The results showed that Se/AG NC and Se/CAR NC increased the number and weight of tubers in the first generation (F1) obtained from the plants grown from the treated tubers. It was found that Se/AG NC and Se/ST NC decreased the median weight of shoots after 230 days of storage of the F1 tubers, preventing their premature germination, and Se/AG NC decreased the number of rotten tubers. All three Se NCs significantly improved the storage by increasing the number of healthy scab-, dry-pitted-rot-, and wireworm-free tubers in the F1 after 230-day-long storage, except Se/CAR NC regarding dry pitted rot. Selenium/ST NC significantly increased the number of tubers, and Se/CAR NC their mass, and both decreased the number of rotten tubers in the second generation (F2). Selenium NCs affected crop structure in both generations.