The Biological Activity of a Selenium Nanocomposite Encapsulated in Carrageenan Macromolecules with Respect to Ring Rot Pathogenesis of Potato Plants

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of selenium nanocomposite encapsulated in a carrageenan matrix (NC Se/Car) on the Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms) bacteria (causing potato ring rot) and potato plants has been studied. The electron microscopy data indicate that NC Se/Car comprise spherical selenium nanoparticles (of a wide size range) forming aggregates. The nanocomposite has not been found to exhibit any bacteriostatic and antibiofilm activity against Cms. Our experiments on plants have shown a stimulating effect of NC Se/Car on the plant biometric indicators and a decreased harmful effect of Cms infection. The insignificant accumulation of selenium in the potato tissues treated with NC Se/Car (0.01–0.03% of air-dry weight) has been found. These results allow us to consider NC Se/Car as a plant development stimulator for agricultural crops.