Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran..

3 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jci.2025.392734.2924

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of selenium foliar spraying at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/L) on the qualitative and biochemical characteristics of Malase-Saveh pomegranate fruit. Selenium is an essential micronutrient known for its role in plant growth, stress resistance, and fruit quality enhancement. This research sought to determine the optimal selenium concentration for improving fruit quality and antioxidant properties and to assess its role in enhancing fruit resistance to environmental stresses.
Method: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in a garden located in Saveh. Selenium treatments were applied at three stages: fruit formation on June 4th, July 4th  and Augest 4th.  This ensured gradual nutrient uptake and allowed for comprehensive evaluation of selenium impact over different growth stages. At the commercial ripening stage, fruit and leaf samples were collected from treated and control trees. Measured qualitative traits included fruit length, diameter, shape, volume, 100-aril weight, aril length and diameter, fruit number, sunburn percentage, cracking percentage, marketability, and throatworm infestation. Biochemical traits included macro- and micronutrient levels, selenium content in leaves and fruit, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity, vitamin C, phenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity. These traits provided a comprehensive understanding of selenium impact on fruit quality and plant health.
Results: Foliar application of selenium, particularly at 6 mg L⁻¹, significantly increased fruit length, diameter, volume, weight, and 100-aril weight. The number of fruits per tree was also higher compared to the control. Quality indices such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity improved significantly in the 4 and 6 mg L⁻¹ treatments. The highest fruit weight was obtained at 6 mg L⁻¹. Moreover, the incidence of sunburn, fruit cracking, and infestation by the pomegranate fruit borer decreased, although no significant effect was observed on fruit shape. Nutritional analysis showed that selenium application increased selenium concentration in fruit and leaves, along with higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. The highest iron and zinc contents were observed at 6 mg L⁻¹, whereas an antagonistic relationship was found between selenium and manganese.
Conclusions: Overall, pre-harvest foliar spraying of selenium, especially at 6 mg L⁻¹, significantly improved both quantitative and qualitative traits of pomegranate. This treatment enhanced mineral composition, vitamin C, and phenolic compounds, while reducing physiological disorders and improving marketability. Therefore, foliar application of selenium at 6 mg L⁻¹ is recommended as an effective strategy to increase yield, improve fruit quality, and reduce postharvest losses in pomegranate.

Keywords

Almutairi, K. F., Górnik, K., Awad, R. M., Ayoub, A., Abada, H. S., & Mosa, W. F. (2023). Influence of selenium, titanium, and silicon nanoparticles on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of mango under drought conditions. Horticulturae9(11), 1231.
Al-Saif, A. M., Mosa, W. F., Saleh, A. A., Ali, M. M., Sas-Paszt, L., Abada, H. S., & Abdel-Sattar, M. (2022). Yield and fruit quality response of pomegranate (Punica granatum) to foliar spray of potassium, calcium and kaolin. Horticulturae8(10), 946.
Arunthirumeni, M., Veerammal, V., & Shivakumar, M. S. (2022). Biocontrol efficacy of mycosynthesized selenium nanoparticle using Trichoderma sp. on insect pest Spodoptera litura. Journal of Cluster Science, 33(4), 1645-1653.
Asadi, E., Ghehsareh, A. M., Moghadam, E. G., Hoodaji, M., & Zabihi, H. R. (2019). Improvement of pomegranate colorless arils using iron and zinc fertilization. Journal of Cleaner Production234, 392-399.
Ashtari, M., Khademi, O., Soufbaf, M., Afsharmanesh, H., & Sarcheshmeh, M. A. A. (2019). Effect of gamma irradiation on antioxidants, microbiological properties and shelf life of pomegranate arils cv. ‘Malas Savehʼ. Scientia Horticulturae244, 365-371.
Babalar, M., Mohebbi, S., Zamani, Z., & Askari, M. A. (2019). Effect of foliar application with sodium selenate on selenium biofortification and fruit quality maintenance of ‘Starking Delicious’ apple during storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture99(11), 5149-5156.
Bakr, B. B., El-Gazzar, A. A., Mansour, N. A., & Fawzy, M. I. (2018). Effect of spraying Washington navel orange trees with selenium on vegetative growth, productivity and fruit quality. Arab Universities Journal of Agricultural Sciences26, 2311-2323.
Boldrin, P. F., Faquin, V., Ramos, S. J., Boldrin, K. V. F., Ávila, F. W., & Guilherme, L. R. G. (2013). Soil and foliar application of selenium in rice biofortification. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis31(2), 238-244.
Buccheri, M., Picchi, V., Grassi, M., Gandin, D., Bianchi, G., & Scalzo, R. L. (2021). Dynamic changes of antioxidants and fermentative metabolites in apple peel in relation to storage, controlled atmosphere, and initial low oxygen stress. Scientia Horticulturae288, 110312.
Cheng, B., Lian, H. F., Liu, Y. Y., Yu, X. H., Sun, Y. L., Sun, X. D.,  & Liu, S. Q. (2016). Effects of selenium and sulfur on antioxidants and physiological parameters of garlic plants during senescence. Journal of Integrative Agriculture15(3), 566-572.
Davarpanah, S., Tehranifar, A., Davarynejad, G., Abadía, J., & Khorasani, R. (2016). Effects of foliar applications of zinc and boron nano-fertilizers on pomegranate (Punica granatum cv. Ardestani) fruit yield and quality. Scientia Horticulturae210, 57-64.
Drahoňovský, J., Száková, J., Mestek, O., Tremlová, J., Kaňa, A., Najmanová, J., & Tlustoš, P. (2016). Selenium uptake, transformation and inter-element interactions by selected wildlife plant species after foliar selenate application. Environmental and Experimental Botany125, 12-19.
El-Kareem, M. G., Aal, A. A., & Mohamed, A. Y. (2014). The synergistic effects of using silicon and selenium on fruiting of Zaghloul date palm (Phoenix dectylifera L.). International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 259-262.
El-Ramady, H., Hajdú, P., Törős, G., Badgar, K., Llanaj, X., Kiss, A., & Prokisch, J. (2022). Plant nutrition for human health: a pictorial review on plant bioactive compounds for sustainable agriculture. Sustainability, 14(14), 8329.
Erdem, S. Ö. (2024). Effect of Selenium Application on Quality, Phytochemical Composition and Mineral Content Properties of Red Currant (Ribes rubrum L.) and Jostaberry (Ribes× nidigrolaria Bauer). HortScience59(8), 1049-1055.
Fu, D. D., Duan, M. L., Liang, D. L., Wang, S. S., & Wu, X. P. (2011). Effects of selenite and selenate on growth and nutrient absorption of pakchoi. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers17(2), 358-365.
Galić, L., Vinković, T., Ravnjak, B., & Lončarić, Z. (2021). Agronomic biofortification of significant cereal crops with selenium A review. Agronomy11(5), 1015.
García-Pastor, M. E., Giménez, M. J., Zapata, P. J., Guillén, F., Valverde, J. M., Serrano, M., & Valero, D. (2020). Preharvest application of methyl salicylate, acetyl salicylic acid and salicylic acid alleviated disease caused by Botrytis cinerea through stimulation of antioxidant system in table grapes. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 334, 108807.
Hanson, B., Lindblom, S. D., Loeffler, M. L., & Pilon‐Smits, E. A. (2004). Selenium protects plants from phloem‐feeding aphids due to both deterrence and toxicity. New Phytologist162(3), 655-662.
Hawrylak-Nowak, B. (2013). Comparative effects of selenite and selenate on growth and selenium accumulation in lettuce plants under hydroponic conditions. Plant Growth Regulation70, 149-157.
Hegazi, A., Samra, N. R., El-Baz, E. E. T., Khalil, B. M., & Gawish, M. S. (2014). Improving fruit quality of Manfaloty and Wonderful pomegranates by using bagging and some spray treatments with gibberellic acid, calcium chloride, and kaolin. Journal of Plant Production, 5(5), 779-792..
Hu, T., Hui, G., Li, H., & Guo, Y. (2020). Selenium biofortification in Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom) and its in vitro bioaccessibility. Food Chemistry331, 127287.
Huang, S., Gao, L., Fu, G., Du, S., Wang, Q., Li, H., & Wan, Y. (2023). Interactive effects between zinc and selenium on mineral element accumulation and fruit quality of strawberry. Agronomy13(10), 2453.
Hussein, A. S., Abeed, A. H., Usman, A. R., & Abou-Zaid, E. A. (2024). Conventional vs. nano-micronutrients as foliar fertilization for enhancing the quality and nutritional status of pomegranate fruits. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences23(2), 112-122.
Ibrahim, H. I. M., & Al-Wasfy, M. M. (2014). The promotive impact of using silicon and selenium with potassium and boron on fruiting of Valencia orange trees grown under Minia region conditions. World Rural Observations6(2), 28-36.
Jiang, D., Matsushita, B., Pahlevan, N., Gurlin, D., Fichot, C. G., Harringmeyer, J., ... & Spyrakos, E. (2023). Estimating the concentration of total suspended solids in inland and coastal waters from Sentinel-2 MSI: A semi-analytical approach. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing204, 362-377.
Kabata-Pendias, A. (2010). Trace Elements in Soils and Plants, Fourth Edn. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press
Lalitha, K., Karthi, S., Vengateswari, G., Karthikraja, R., Perumal, P., & Shivakumar, M. S. (2018). Effect of entomopathogenic nematode of Heterorhabditis indica infection on immune and antioxidant system in lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Parasitic Diseases42, 204-211.
Li, D., Zhou, C., Zou, N., Wu, Y., Zhang, J., An, Q., ... & Pan, C. (2021). Nanoselenium foliar application enhances biosynthesis of tea leaves in metabolic cycles and associated responsive pathways. Environmental Pollution273, 116503.
Lin, Y., Cao, S., Wang, X., Liu, Y., Sun, Z., Zhang, Y., ... & Tang, H. (2024). Foliar application of sodium selenite affects the growth, antioxidant system, and fruit quality of strawberry. Frontiers in Plant Science15, 1449157.
Lorente-Mento, J. M., Serrano, M., Martínez-Romero, D., Ruiz-Aracil, M. C., Valero, D., & Guillén, F. (2023). The simultaneous use of 1-methylcyclopropene and methyl jasmonate vapor as an innovative strategy for reducing chilling injury and maintaining pomegranate fruit quality at suboptimal temperatures. Foods13(1), 60.‏
Lu, N., Wu, L., Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., & Shan, C. (2022). Selenium improves the content of vitamin C in the fruit of strawberry by regulating the enzymes responsible for vitamin C metabolism. Plant, Soil & Environment68(4).
Luo, H., Du, B., He, L., Zheng, A., Pan, S., & Tang, X. (2019). Foliar application of sodium selenate induces regulation in yield formation, grain quality characters and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline biosynthesis in fragrant rice. BMC Plant Biology19, 1-12.
Malagoli, M., Schiavon, M., Dall’Acqua, S., & Pilon-Smits, E. A. (2015). Effects of selenium biofortification on crop nutritional quality. Frontiers in Plant Science6, 280.
Meucci, A., Shiriaev, A., Rosellini, I., Malorgio, F., & Pezzarossa, B. (2021). Se-enrichment pattern, composition, and aroma profile of ripe tomatoes after sodium selenate foliar spraying performed at different plant developmental stages. Plants10(6), 1050.
Mimmo, T., et al. (2017). Selenium application in strawberries: A biofortification approach. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(20), 4200-4208
Morais, E. G. D., Silva, M. A., Quispe, A. P. V., Machado, G. G. L., Prado, D. T., Benevenute, P. A. N., & Guilherme, L. R. G. (2024). Foliar Sprays of Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer Containing Selenium Produce Functional Tomato Fruits with Higher Shelf Life. Plants13(16), 2288.
Mosa, W. F., Behiry, S. I., Ali, H. M., Abdelkhalek, A., Sas-Paszt, L., Al-Huqail, A. A., ... & Salem, M. Z. (2022). Pomegranate trees quality under drought conditions using potassium silicate, nanosilver, and selenium spray with valorization of peels as fungicide extracts. Scientific Reports12(1), 6363.
Mozaffari, M., Razavi, F., Rabiei, V., Kheiry, A., & Hassani, A. (2020). Effect of preharvest spraying of selenium on qualitative and biochemical characteristics of grape cv. Fakhri (Vitis vinifera cv. Fakhri). Journal of Horticultural Science, 12(1), 177-192.
Nawaz, F., Ahmad, R., Ashraf, M. Y., Waraich, E. A., & Khan, S. Z. (2015). Effect of selenium foliar spray on physiological and biochemical processes and chemical constituents of wheat under drought stress. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety113, 191-200
Pezzarossa, B., Remorini, D., Gentile, M. L., & Massai, R. (2012). Effects of foliar and fruit addition of sodium selenate on selenium accumulation and fruit quality. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture92(4), 781-786.
Riyazuddin, R., Choudhary, A. K., Khatri, N., Sarkar, A., Agrawal, G. K., Kim, S. T., ... & Rakwal, R. (2022). Proteomics as a tool to understand the biology of agricultural crops. In Bioinformatics in Agriculture (pp. 107-122). Academic Press
Samynathan, R., Venkidasamy, B., Ramya, K., Muthuramalingam, P., Shin, H., Kumari, P. S.,  & Sivanesan, I. (2023). A recent update on the impact of nano-selenium on plant growth, metabolism, and stress tolerance. Plants12(4), 853.
Tehranifar, A., Zarei, M., Nemati, Z., Esfandiyari, B., & Vazifeshenas, M. R. (2010). Investigation of physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of twenty Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae126(2), 180-185.
Tezotto-Uliana, J. V., Fargoni, G. P., Geerdink, G. M., & Kluge, R. A. (2014). Chitosan applications pre-or postharvest prolong raspberry shelf-life quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology91, 72-77.
Wang, F., Li, Y., Shifa, T. A., Liu, K., Wang, F., Wang, Z., & He, J. (2016). Selenium‐enriched nickel selenide nanosheets as a robust electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition55(24), 6919-6924.
Wang, Y., Xie, X., Chen, H., Zhang, K., Zhao, B., & Qiu, R. (2024). Selenium-Induced Enhancement in Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Methane Oxidation of Prickly Pear. Plants13(6), 749.
Wojcik, P. (2013). Uptake of mineral nutrients from foliar fertilization. Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research, 21(2), 123-134.
Wu, Z., Bañuelos, G. S., Lin, Z. Q., Liu, Y., Yuan, L., Yin, X., & Li, M. (2015). Biofortification and phytoremediation of selenium in China. Frontiers in Plant Science6, 136.
Yao, Y., et al. (2014). Effects of selenium application on fruit quality and antioxidant activity in apple. Food Chemistry, 157, 69-76.
Yin, K., Bao, Q., Li, J., Wang, M., Wang, F., Sun, B., & Lian, F. (2024). Molecular mechanisms of growth promotion and selenium enrichment in tomato plants by novel selenium-doped carbon quantum dots. Chemosphere364, 143175.
Zahedi, S. M., Hosseini, M. S., Meybodi, N. D. H., & da Silva, J. A. T. (2019). Foliar application of selenium and nano-selenium affects pomegranate (Punica granatum cv. Malase Saveh) fruit yield and quality. South African Journal of Botany, 124, 350-358.
Zhan, T., Hu, C., Kong, Q., Shi, G., Tang, Y., Zhou, Y., ... & Zhao, X. (2021). Chitin combined with selenium reduced nitrogen loss in soil and improved nitrogen uptake efficiency in Guanxi pomelo orchard. Science of the Total Environment799, 149414.
Zhang, X., Li, X., Su, M., Du, J., Zhou, H., Li, X., & Ye, Z. (2020). A comparative UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics approach for distinguishing peach (Prunus persica L.) Batsch) fruit cultivars with varying antioxidant activity. Food Research International137, 109531.
Huang, C., Qin, N., Sun, L., Yu, M., Hu, W., & Qi, Z. (2018). Selenium improves physiological parameters and alleviates oxidative stress in strawberry seedlings under low-temperature stress. International.  Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1913.