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Drought stress is one of the most prevalent abiotic constraints to enduring and global food security. Here, we investigated whether selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) influenced plant perception of drought using measurements of morphological, physiological and essential oil (EO) quantity and quality of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as proxies for drought resilience. Treatments included irrigation at 100% field capacity (FC100) as no stress, 80% FC as moderate water stress (FC80) and 60% FC as severe water stress (FC60) together with the application of Se NPs at either 0 mg L−1 (control), 50 mg L−1 and 100 mg L−1. The highest (257 g m-2) and lowest (185 g m-2) dry matter yields were achieved in non-stress and severe water stress conditions. Dry matter yields decreased by 15% and 28% in moderate and severe water stress, respectively. Applying Se NPs enhanced the dry matter yields by 14% and 13% for the 50 and 100 mg L−1 treatments. The greatest EO content (1.0%) and EO yield (1.9 g m-2) were observed under severe water stress. Applying Se NPs of 50 and 100 mg L−1 enhanced the essential oil content by 33 and 36% and the essential oil yield by 52% and 53%. We identified 21 constituents in the EO, with primary constituents being methyl chavicol (40-44%), linalool (38-42%) and 1,8-cineole (5-6%), respectively. The maximum methyl chavicol and linalool were obtained in FC80 with 50 mg L−1 Se NPs. The highest proline (17 µg g-1 fresh weight) and soluble sugar content (6 mg g-1 fresh weight) were obtained under severe water stress (FC60) for the 50 mg L−1 Se NP treatment. Our results demonstrate that low-concentration Se NPs increase plant tolerance and improve basil's EO quantity and quality under drought stress.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Physiology; crop; plant; biochemistry; Basil; nanoparticles; fertilizer; stress; abiotic; heat; extreme; production; yield; biotechnology; Selenium; mictronutrient; nutrient; soil; fertility; mineral; immobilization; climate crisis; climate change
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Crop and pasture production
Research Field:	Crop and pasture biochemistry and physiology
Objective Division:	Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards
Objective Group:	Natural hazards
Objective Field:	Climatological hazards (e.g. extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires)
UTAS Author:	Harrison, MT (Associate Professor Matthew Harrison)
ID Code:	154734
Year Published:	2023
Deposited By:	TIA - Research Institute
Deposited On:	2023-01-01
Last Modified:	2023-01-03
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