Selenium-coated chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-Se NPs) improve grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Sultana) performance grown under lead (Pb) toxicity.

Background: Selenium-coated chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-Se NPs) have been proposed as innovative engineered nanoparticles with the potential to alleviate various abiotic stresses, thereby enhancing plant growth and productivity. However, evidence of their efficacy remains limited. In this study, the effects of CTS-Se NPs (10 and 20 mg L⁻¹), along with CTS NPs (0.1%) and Se (20 mg L⁻¹), were evaluated for their potential to mitigate lead (Pb)-induced stress (0, 50, 100 mg kg⁻¹) on key agronomic and physio-biochemical traits of grapevine ( L. cv. Sultana).

Results: The findings clearly revealed that the application of CTS-Se NPs under Pb-stress conditions led to increased leaf and root biomass, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, elevated levels of proline, phenols, essential metals, and major enzymatic antioxidants, while significantly reducing lead content and cellular stress markers.

Conclusion: CTS-Se NPs hold significant potential as innovative functionalized nanomaterials for use in sustainable agriculture, promoting stress-resilient crops like grapevine. By enhancing stress resilience, CTS-Se NPs can help achieve more stable crop yields while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, their capability for targeted delivery of nutrients or bioactive compounds positions them as a valuable asset for precision agriculture, fostering healthier plant growth and improved fruit quality in grapevines, all while supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07192-4.