Exogenous Application of Selenium Nanoparticles Boosted the Drought Tolerance in Wheat by Increasing Morpho‐Physiochemical and Yield Attributes

The present study aimed to determine whether sole or joint Se treatments improve wheat growth under drought conditions. The study was conducted using two wheat varieties, BARI Gom30 and BARI Gom33, at the Agronomy Research Field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, during the Rabi season from December 2023 to April 2024. A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed. Wheat plants were grown under drought conditions in the field, and seedlings in each plot were subjected to six treatments: T₀ (control, no selenium), T₁ (10 ppm Se), T₂ (20 ppm Se), T₃ (30 ppm Se), T₄ (40 ppm Se), and T₅ (50 ppm Se) per plot. The results indicated that the highest plant height (103.35 cm), number of leaves per plant (5.50), number of tillers per plant (5.00), leaf area (5125.95 mm²), leaf temperature (26.53°C), spike length (17.75 cm), and biological yield (4.33 t ha^-1) were observed in the T5 treatment (50 ppm Se per plot). However, the maximum grain yield was obtained with T₃ (30 ppm Se). The highest harvest index was recorded in the T₄ treatment (40 ppm Se), suggesting its effectiveness in optimizing yield distribution. Additionally, physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, carotenoid levels, relative water content, water saturation deficit, water retention capacity, water use efficiency, leaf succulence, excised leaf water loss, and cell membrane stability showed slightly higher peak values in BARI Gom33 (V2), indicating its superior drought tolerance and yield potential. Based on the findings, a Se concentration of 50 ppm (T5 × V2) was identified during the interaction as the most effective treatment for enhancing the growth of the selected wheat varieties (V2) under drought conditions.