Selenium Nanocomposites in Natural Matrices as Potato Recovery Agent

The paper presents a study of the effect of chemically synthesized selenium nanocomposites (Se NCs) in natural polymer matrices arabinogalactan (AG) and starch (ST) on the viability of the potato ring rot pathogen Clavibacter sepedonicus (Cms), potato plants in vitro, and the soil bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis. It was found that the studied Se NCs have an antibacterial effect against the phytopathogenic Cms, reducing its growth rate and ability to form biofilms. It was revealed that Se NC based on AG (Se/AG NC) stimulated the growth and development of potato plants in vitro as well as their root formation. At the same time, Se did not accumulate in potato tissues after the treatment of plants with Se NCs. The safety of the Se NCs was also confirmed by the absence of a negative effect on the growth and biofilm formation of the soil bacterium R. erythropolis. The obtained results indicate that Se NCs are promising environmentally safe agents for the protection and recovery of cultivated plants from phytopathogenic bacteria.