Selenium treatment enhances the germination and growth of corn seedlings

Abstract

Early seedling development and germination are vital phases in the life cycle of plants, as optimal germination contributes significantly to crop yields. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient for several organisms, including plants, plays a crucial role in improving germination and early seedling growth. Seed priming treatment is presented as a promising alternative to improve these aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of priming treatment with different concentrations of selenium on germination and seedling development of Criollo maize. Two maize varieties were used and five selenium concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM L-1) were tested. The results indicated that concentrations of 50 and 75 µM L-1 selenium had a noticeable positive effect on variables such as germination percentage, germination rate, germination potential and germination speed index. However, higher concentrations (100 µM L-1) showed consistently lower results, suggesting a negative impact on the germination process and initial seedling development.