Nano-Selenium: A Green Promising Approach against Abiotic Stresses in Plants

Nanotechnology is an emerging and innovative field with potential to sustain agriculture against abiotic stress. Various nanoparticles with ultrafine structure and size range of 1-100 nm used in promoting crop production. Earlier studies have demonstrated that selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) help plants to endure abiotic induced growth inhibition. SeNPs can be synthesized by different methods such as physical, chemical and biological. However biosynthesized SeNP are cost effective, biocompatible and nontoxic in nature and can be used as an alternative approach compare to conventional in controlling abiotic stress induce problems in plants. This review focus on classification of nanoparticles, mechanism and biological synthesis of SeNPs, application methods and action potential on the growth, development and immune responses of plant. It aims to elucidate its effects on plants under salinity, heavy metals, drought and cold stresses and to find its effects on plant genomics. The effects, translocation and accumulation of SeNPs have been documented at various developmental stages of plant growth and metabolism depending on plant physiology, particle size and stress severity. It also discusses the applications of SeNPs on abiotic stresses susceptible plants. We have concluded that SeNPs via different modes of applications have promising effect in promoting plant growth and yield by improving germination of seeds and seedling growth, enhancing antioxidant enzymatic activity, reducing oxidative damage, regulating molecular responses, inducing photosynthetic efficiency and activating genes to resist against stresses. We emphasize that further research is needed to interpret the involvement of physiological and morphological mechanisms activation by nanoparticles implications against environmental stresses.