The effect of Selenium nanoparticles on some morphological and anatomical features of cherry tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.var. cerasiforme).

Selenium is a beneficial element with antioxidant properties that increases plant growth and tolerance to abiotic stresses. In order to investigate the effect of Nano Selenium solution treatments on Cherry Tomato plant growth, treatments including Sodium Selenate (bulk) and Selenium nanoparticles were applied at four levels (0 as control, 2, 4 and 10 ppm). The experimental results showed that interaction between Selenium nanoparticles and all studied traits (fresh weight, dry weight, anatomical indices of roots and stems and leaves, chlorophyll content) were significantly different at 1% level. Treatments caused morphological changes in stems, roots and leaves compared to controls. The highest increase in root and leaf diameter was observed in group four Nano Selenium (21.55 and 1.1%) compared to the control. All treatments reduced stem diameter compared to control. An increasing trend of root and stem central cylinder thickness was observed in proportion to the concentration compared to the control. Both Nano-Selenium and bulk Selenate reduced the differentiation of xylem vessels in leaves compared to the controls. The results of studied morphological and anatomical traits indicated that the use of two levels of Nano-Selenium concentrations, 2 and 4 ppm, improved the growth parameters, in contrast, application of 10 ppm Nano-Selenium concentration reduced the growth parameter, the content of plant pigments in comparison with the control sample. Overally, the results showed that Selenium treatment in appropriate amounts can contribute to the optimal yield of cherry tomatoes and increase plant growth and pigmentation and affect tissue differentiation and organ development.