Combined Effects of Seaweed Extract and Selenium Nanoparticles on Mitigation of Cadmium and Chromium Stress in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of plant genetics and production engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Agriculture Institute, Research Institute of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination by cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) threatens fennel productivity and seed safety through oxidative damage and metal accumulation. This study tested whether combined foliar application of seaweed extract (SWE) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) provides enhanced protection against Cd- and Cr-stress in fennel. For this purpose, a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Treatments included three soil metal levels (control, 20 mg Cd kg-1, and 100 mg Cr kg-1) and four foliar treatments (control, SWE at 1 mL L-1, SeNPs at 20 mg L-1, and SWE + SeNPs). Electrolyte leakage (EL), proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), seed Cd/Cr concentrations, seed yield, and biological yield were measured. Results showed that Cd and Cr stress increased membrane and oxidative injury compared with the non-contaminated control, as reflected by higher EL, MDA, CAT, and SOD, and they reduced seed and biological yields. Foliar SeNPs and SWE improved stress tolerance by lowering oxidative damage indices and improving productivity, with SWE+SeNPs treatment showing greater improvements than individual applications. SWE+SeNPs decreased MDA by 27.8% (Cd) and 22.7% (Cr), reduced CAT by 32.8% (Cd) and 28.3% (Cr), and reduced SOD by 25.9% (Cd) and 30.3% (Cr) relative to stressed controls, indicating alleviation of oxidative pressure. The combined treatment also produced the greatest improvement in seed safety by lowering seed Cd by 63.5% and seed Cr by 41.1% relative to the foliar control. These biochemical improvements translated into higher productivity, with SWE+SeNPs increasing seed yield by 21.6% relative to the foliar control and improving biological yield under both Cd and Cr stress. In conclusion, SWE+SeNPs foliar strategy most effectively mitigated Cd/Cr toxicity by reducing oxidative damage, lowering metal transfer to seeds, and improving yield, supporting its potential use for safer fennel production in contaminated soils.

Graphical Abstract

Combined Effects of Seaweed Extract and Selenium Nanoparticles on Mitigation of Cadmium and Chromium Stress in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Highlights

  • Combined application of SeNPs and seaweed extract synergistically alleviated Cd and Cr toxicity in fennel.
  • Co-application minimized oxidative damage, evidenced by reduced EL, MDA, and modulated antioxidant enzyme activity.
  • Foliar treatment with SeNPs and SWE enhanced osmoprotection (proline) and significantly lowered heavy metal accumulation in seeds.
  • The synergistic strategy most effectively recovered seed and biological yields under combined metal stress.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops
Volume 6, Issue 2
Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops (Agrotech Ind Crops) (Online ISSN: 2783-2945)
July 2026
Pages 208-218

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