چکیده
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Salt stress severely reduces growth and yield of plants. Considering the positive effects of
selenium (Se) and chitosan (Cs) separately against abiotic stress, in these experiments, we
synthesized chitosan–selenium nanoparticles (Cs–Se NPs) and investigated their ability to reduce
the negative effects of salt stress on growth and some biochemical parameters of bitter melon
(Momordica charantia). Bitter melon plants were grown at three NaCl salinity levels (0, 50, and 100
mM) and a foliar spray of Cs–Se NPs (0, 10, and 20 mg L−1) was applied. Some key morphological,
biochemical, and physiological parameters in leaf samples and essential oil from fruit were
measured at harvest. Salinity decreased growth and yield while foliar application of Cs–Se NPs
increased these critical parameters. Furthermore, Cs–Se NPs enhanced bitter melon tolerance to
salinity by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, proline concentration, relative water content,
and K+, and decreasing MDA and H2O2 oxidants and Na aggregation in plant tissues. Yield was also
improved, as the highest amount of essential oils was produced by plants treated with Cs–Se NPs.
Generally, the greatest improvement in measured parameters under saline conditions was obtained
by treating plants with 20 mg L−1 Cs–Se NPs, which significantly increased salinity tolerance in bitter
melon plants.
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