Selenium nanomaterials induce flower enlargement and improve the nutritional quality of cherry tomatoes: pot and field experiments

Abstract

Crop yield and quality must be improved to meet the rapid growth of the population. In this work, both pot and field experiments demonstrated that soil application of selenium engineered nanomaterials (Se ENMs, 75 μg kg⁻¹) could increase the yield and quality of cherry tomatoes. The yield of cherry tomatoes increased by 45.1%, 59.5%, and 78.5% after the application of Se ENMs (75 μg kg⁻¹) on the 70th, 80th, and 90th days, respectively. Moreover, Se ENMs could upregulate key genes (e.g., SlcodA, SlCDKA1, SlIAA9, and SlCTD1), which were responsible for flower enlargement, cell separation, and expansion, all of which resulted in a 12.4% increase in fruit diameter. Non-targeted metabolism results suggest that Se ENMs could promote the assimilation of C and N in cherry tomato fruits by improving the metabolism of amino acids and synthesizing beneficial substances (e.g., ascorbic acid, glutathione, and flavonoids). Also, the macro-nutrients (e.g., Mg, P, K, and Ca) increased by 45.4%, 5.6%, 6.3%, and 64.3%, and micro-nutrients (e.g., Fe, Mn, and Se) increased by 55.5%, 67.1%, and 333.5% after Se ENM exposure, respectively. As a result, Se ENMs can not only increase yield but also improve the nutritional quality of cherry tomatoes. Field experiment results showed that Se ENMs increased the yield by 176.9% compared with the control, with a higher bioavailability and economic profit than selenite (SeO₃²⁻). Furthermore, the metabolic and nutrient results were consistent with the pot experiment. Therefore, these findings demonstrate the promising prospects of Se ENM-enabled agriculture practices as a sustainable crop strategy.