Phenological application of selenium differentially improves growth, oxidative defense and ion homeostasis in maize under salinity stress

An Overview of Hazardous Impacts of Soil Salinity in Crops, Tolerance Mechanisms, and Amelioration through Selenium Supplementation

“…Many studies have reported the effects of the application of Se to evoke tolerance against salt stress depending on the application method, dose of Se, salinity levels, and plant species [58]. For example, a foliar application of selenate (20 mg·L −1 ) mitigated the adverse effects of salinity stress (12 dS m −1 ) on the growth and development parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) [122]. Likewise, another study reported that Se application (20 µM) in the form of sodium selenite causes improvements in the growth and yield of eggplants under varying levels of soil salinity [123].…”

“…The maintenance of plant growth is directly associated with the survival of crop plants under salt-affected soils. The application of minute levels of Se under salinity stress significantly improved plant growth characteristics such as the shoot length, shoot diameter, and fresh and dry biomass of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) as compared to salt stress alone [122,[124][125][126] (Table 1). Likewise, Se showed a great potential to improve stem growth (diameter and biomass) in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) when cultivated in salt-affected soils [30,106].…”

“…Recently, Astaneh suggested that growth parameters such as the bulb height, fresh and dry biomass of bulbs, bulb diameter, and the number of cloves in one bulb of Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) were significantly improved with the addition of Se under salinity stress [127]. Growth characteristics related to plant roots such as length, fresh, and dry weight were significantly improved with the supplementation of smaller amounts of Se alone and/or in combination with NaCl, compared to salinity stress alone [30,122]. Se applications significantly promoted root and shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight as well as improving relative water contents in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and antioxidants activity and photosynthetic pigments in lettuce plants [100,128].…”

“…For instance, exogenously applied Se played a significant role in appraising the physiological and biochemical mechanisms ( Table 1) involved in salinity tolerance in cucumber [124], canola [24], and parsley [133], which as a result helped plants to survive better in salt-stressed environments. Salinity stress in particular not only damages a plant's osmotic potential, but also accompanies various secondary stresses, such as cellular oxidative damage by the over-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [122]. The maintenance of ROS homeostasis and other physiological functions such as photosynthesis are the chief priorities of plants exposed to salinity stress [29].…”

“…Therefore, finding suitable approaches to understand and investigate the mechanisms underpinning plant responses to salinity stress is essential to sustain agricultural production in saline soils. In this regard, the application of Se has been found to reduce the harmful effects of salinity and support the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and garlic (Allium sativum L.) through enhanced photosynthetic performance [29,30,122,129]. Moreover, enhanced growth and nutritional qualities of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and mung bean (Vigna radiate L.) have also been reported by exogenously applied Se under stressed and non-stressed conditions [22,106,142,146].…”