Selenium enhances chilling stress tolerance in coffee species by modulating nutrient, carbohydrates, and amino acids content

Abstract

The effects of selenium (Se) on plant metabolism have been reported in several studies triggering plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, yet, the effects of Se on coffee plants under chilling stress are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar Se application on coffee seedlings submitted to chilling stress and subsequent plant recovery. Two Coffea species, Coffea arabica cv. Arara, and Coffea canephora clone 31, were submitted to foliar application of sodium selenate solution (0.4 mg plant–1) or a control foliar solution, then on day 2 plants were submitted to low temperature (10°C day/4°C night) for 2 days. After that, the temperature was restored to optimal (25°C day/20°C night) for 2 days. Leaf samples were collected three times (before, during, and after the chilling stress) to perform analyses. After the chilling stress, visual leaf injury was observed in both species; however, the damage was twofold higher in C. canephora. The lower effect of cold on C. arabica was correlated to the increase in ascorbate peroxidase and higher content of starch, sucrose, and total soluble sugars compared with C. canephora, as well as a reduction in reducing sugars and proline content during the stress and rewarming. Se increased the nitrogen and sulfur content before stress but reduced their content during low temperature. The reduced content of nitrogen and sulfur during stress indicates that they were remobilized to stem and roots. Se supply reduced the damage in C. canephora leaves by 24% compared with the control. However, there was no evidence of the Se effects on antioxidant enzymatic pathways or ROS activity during stress as previously reported in the literature. Se increased the content of catalase during the rewarming. Se foliar supply also increased starch, amino acids, and proline, which may have reduced symptom expression in C. canephora in response to low temperature. In conclusion, Se foliar application can be used as a strategy to improve coffee tolerance under low-temperature changing nutrient remobilization, carbohydrate metabolism, and catalase activity in response to rewarming stress, but C. arabica and C. canephora respond differently to chilling stress and Se supply.

Joint Cultivation of Allium ursinum and Armoracia rusticana under Foliar Sodium Selenate Supply

“…Participation of Se in carbohydrate metabolism is known to stimulate plant antioxidant defense and improve the nutritional quality of the product [ 29 ]. In this respect, a significant increase in monosaccharide content in horseradish roots as a result of Se supply represents an important characteristic of horseradish, suggesting the existence of a disaccharide hydrolysis process ( Table 4 ).…”

Foliar Application of Selenium Associated with a Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer in Soybean: Yield, Grain Quality, and Critical Se Threshold

“…Selenium is not considered a nutrient for plants, but it has beneficial effects, such as reducing the stress caused by low temperatures in coffee [ 14 ], increasing the yield of wheat [ 15 ], increasing protein and amino acid content in soybean [ 16 ], and reducing drought stress in common bean plants [ 17 ]. Its effects on plants have been studied for approximately 70 years, and several advantages have already been reported [ 14 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Due to its beneficial effects on plants, recently a change of the definition of “plant nutrient” has been proposed to start a debate on the inclusion of Se, and other beneficial elements, as a plant nutrient [ 22 ].…”

“…Selenium is not considered a nutrient for plants, but it has beneficial effects, such as reducing the stress caused by low temperatures in coffee [14], increasing the yield of wheat [15], increasing protein and amino acid content in soybean [16], and reducing drought stress in common bean plants [17]. Its effects on plants have been studied for approximately 70 years, and several advantages have already been reported [14,[18][19][20][21].…”

Foliar Selenium Application to Reduce the Induced-Drought Stress Effects in Coffee Seedlings: Induced Priming or Alleviation Effect?

“…Selenium (Se) is one of the promising approaches to fight the metabolic responses in plants under this type of adverse condition [14][15][16]. Selenium is not a plant nutrient, but several studies have reported its beneficial effects, mainly under stress conditions (e.g., salinity, chilling stress, metals accumulation, and drought stress) [11,[17][18][19]. The extensive antioxidant capacity of Se arises from its ability to enhance selenoproteins, like glutathione peroxidase.…”

“…As a result of Se application in plants, some authors have noticed an increase in shoot and root biomass and better plant development [25], as well as improved regulation in the status of water, and higher antioxidant apparatus activation in water-stressed crops [26]. Sousa et al [19] found that Se can modulate nutrient uptake, carbohydrate breakdown, and enzymatic activity in coffee plants after low-temperature stress, helping the plants to overcome adverse conditions. Assessing the effect of foliar Se supply in coffee plants cultivated in field conditions, Mateus et al [27] found that Se can protect the photosynthetic pigments and increase coffee bean yield.…”