The Effect of Brassinosteroid and Nano-Selenium on Biochemical Characteristics of Washingtonia filifera under Drought Stress

• Jawad Kadhim shhaet1*,Aqeel Hadi Abdulwahed2 and Fakhriya Abdullah Abdulabbas3

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This study investigated the synergistic potential of Brassinosteroids (BRs) and nano-selenium (NSe) in mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress (D) on Washingtonia palm seedlings. A factorial experimental design with three replications was employed. Results revealed that drought stress (D2) significantly impaired growth, reducing root dry matter to 14.86% and membrane stability index (MSI) to 51.79%. However, the exogenous application of 0.2 ml.l^-1 BRs and 50 mg.l^-1 NSe effectively reversed these trends. The triple interaction (BRs × NSe × D) yielded the highest MSI of 84.76% and a maximum plant dry matter percentage of 38.50%. Furthermore, this treatment significantly enhanced osmotic adaptation by increasing proline levels to 36.61 µg/g and soluble carbohydrates to 0.455 mg/100g, while concurrently reducing oxidative damage by lowering H₂O₂ accumulation to 0.61 µmol/g. These findings demonstrate that the integrated use of BRs and NSe provides a robust physiological and biochemical defense mechanism for enhancing drought resilience in Washingtonia palms.

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