Effect of foliar treatment of sodium selenate on postharvest decay and quality of tomato fruits

- Foliar treatment of 1 mg L−1 sodium selenate effectively controlled gray mold rot on postharvest tomato fruits.
- Selenium treatment reduced lipid peroxidation, stimulated antioxidant defense system in harvested tomato fruits.
- Selenium treatment maintained the quality of tomato fruits during postharvest storage.

Postharvest decay and quality deterioration of fruits are responsible for significant economic losses in the tomato industry. Selenium (Se) is an important microelement due to its antioxidant properties that allows detoxifying various reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, the effect of a foliar treatment of Se prior to fruit development on the subsequent postharvest decay and quality of tomato fruits was investigated. Foliar treatment of 1 mg L−1 sodium selenate at the time of fruit onset and development effectively controlled gray mold rot caused by Botrytis cinerea on both inoculated and naturally infected tomato fruit. Se treatment reduced lipid peroxidation, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, and increased the concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as reduced ascorbate and reduced glutathione in the tomato fruits. Se also contributed to the maintenance of fruit quality during storage. The results suggested that Se stimulated the antioxidant defense system in tomato plants, thus making the fruits more resistant to postharvest decay caused by gray mold. Selenium treatment represents a promising strategy for managing postharvest decay and maintaining the quality of tomato fruits.