Effect of Nano Selenium or Nano Silicon on Growth of Lavender Plant Under Salinity Stress Conditions

Abstract

      This study was conducted at the Nursery of ornamental plants, Hort. Depart., Faculty of agricultural., Zagazig Univ., Egypt, during two consecutive seasons of 2023 and 2024 to evaluate the effect of foliar application of biological selenium and silicon nanoparticles under water salinity conditions on vegetative growth, some chemical constituents, volatile oil percentage and composition of lavender plant. The tested saline water were four levels (control(157ppm), 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm). While, examined foliar spraying with nano-particles were seven concentrations viz, (control, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) nano- selenium and (100, 200 and 300 ppm) nano- silicon. The achieved results of this study showed that all water salinity  levels significantly decreased plants height(cm), branches No./ plant compared to control while  herb fresh and dry weight and salt resistance index (SRI) % increased with 1000 ppm saline water and control treatment. Also, saline water levels at 1000 and 2000 ppm significantly increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoids contents (mg/g FW). On the other hand, plants irrigated with 1000 ppm saline water showed the highest nitrogen content. Irrigation by 1500 ppm saline water increased phosphors and potassium percentage compared to control. Saline water at 2000 ppm decreased volatile oil percentage . Foliar spraying with nano-selenium or nano-silicon at all concentrations significantly increased vegetative growth parameters compared to control. Plants that sprayed with 300 ppm nano-silicon achieved the maximum values of the above-mentioned characters except volatile oil percentage increased at 300 ppm nano-selenium.