Selenium improved antioxidant response and photosynthesis in fragrant rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings during drought stress.

Drought stress substantially influences the growth and development of many crops. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous selenium on the growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant response of fragrant rice seedlings under drought stress. In a pot experiment, fragrant rice seedlings were subjected to drought stress (soil water potential was controlled at - 0.025 ± 5 MPa) and foliar application of selenium (Se) at 0, 10, 30, and 50 μmol L-1. Rice seedlings not exposed to drought stress and Se were used as control. Exposure of fragrant rice seedlings to drought stress resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decrease in fresh weight, dry weight, plant height and stem diameter relative to the control. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid were 20.54-27.24%, 20.82-26.83%, 19.45-29.07% and 21.49-29.17% lower with drought stress treatment compared to CK. Drought stress also significantly (P < 0.05) decreased net photosynthetic rate and soluble protein content. However, Se treatments (30 and 50 μmol L-1) substantially improved fresh weight and dry weight of fragrant rice seedlings under drought stress. Net photosynthetic rate, activities of antioxidant enzymes (GPX, SOD and CAT) and soluble protein content in rice seedlings under drought stress improved due to Se treatment. Higher transcript levels of antioxidant-related genes (GPX1, GPX4, CATA and CATC) were also observed with Se treatment. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2021.