Abstract
Selenium (Se) can promote the growth and resistance of agricultural crops as fertilizers, while the role of nano-selenium (nano-Se) against Cd remains unclear in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.). Biofortification with nano-Se observably restored Cd stress by decreasing the level of Cd in plant tissues and boosting the accumulation in biomass. The Se compounds transformed by nano-Se were primarily in the form of SeMet and MeSeCys in pepper tissues. Differential metabolites and the genes of plant signal transduction and lignin biosynthesis were measured by employing transcriptomics and determining target metabolites. The number of lignin-related genes (PAL, CAD, 4CL, and COMT) and contents of metabolites (sinapyl alcohol, phenylalanine, p-coumaryl alcohol, caffeyl alcohol, and coniferaldehyde) were remarkably enhanced by treatment with Cd1Se0.2, thus, maintaining the integrity of cell walls in the roots. It also enhanced signal transduction by plant hormones and responsive resistance by inducing the biosynthesis of genes (BZR1, LOX3, and NCDE1) and metabolites (brassinolide, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid) in the roots and leaves. In general, this study can enable a better understanding of the protective mechanism of nano-Se in improving the capacity of plants to resist environmental stress.
Highlights
Heavy metal pollution in soil has become a global problem
Nano‐Se improves the biomass and saccharides under Cd stress Compared with the control, the addition of Cd significantly decreased the biomass of roots, stems, and leaves at the seedling stage (Fig. 1A–C)
The key differential metabolites of plant signal transduction and phenylpropanoid metabolism were screened by utilizing transcriptomics and determining the target metabolites
Summary
Heavy metal pollution in soil has become a global problem. The increase in absorption of Cd can lead to changes in plant metabolism, which limit crop productivity and pose a substantial threat to the environment. Pepper fruits are rich in sugars, amino acids, vitamins, carotenoids, capsaicinoids, organic acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and volatile metabolites [6]. These metabolites determine the color, nutrition, and flavor of the pepper fruit, as well as its health functions, such as antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties. Vegetables take up heavy metals and accumulate them in their edible parts [8]. These compounds accumulate in different tissues and transform into a harmful composition of the food chain. It is highly important to research the effect of Cd stress on plant primary and secondary metabolites in peppers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
