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Selenium Biofortification and Interaction With Other Elements in Plants: A Review.
Xinbin Zhou1, Jing Yang1, Herbert J Kronzucker2
1College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, with crops being a primary source. This review explores Se uptake, translocation, and accumulation in plants, focusing on optimizing Se biofortification for better nutrition and reduced toxic metal uptake.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Physiology
- Human Nutrition
Background:
- Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human and animal health, and dietary deficiency is a global concern.
- Crop plants are the primary dietary source of Se for humans, making plant biofortification crucial for addressing Se deficiency.
- Understanding Se uptake, translocation, and accumulation in plants is vital for optimizing Se biofortification strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the nutritional significance of Se and current knowledge on its uptake, translocation, and accumulation in crop plants.
- To discuss the impact of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) on Se biofortification in edible crops.
- To examine the interactions between Se and toxic metals (e.g., mercury, arsenic, cadmium) in soil and their implications for plant accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current research on Se in crop plants.
- Analysis of factors influencing Se uptake, translocation, and accumulation.
- Examination of interactions between Se, essential nutrients (N, P, S), and toxic metals (Hg, As, Cd).
Main Results:
- Se uptake by plant roots, translocation to shoots, and accumulation in grains are complex processes influenced by plant physiology and soil conditions.
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur significantly affect Se biofortification, with potential for synergistic or antagonistic interactions.
- Se accumulation in edible plant parts can be influenced by the presence of toxic metals, presenting challenges for Se biofortification.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing Se biofortification requires a comprehensive understanding of Se's interaction with plant physiology and soil chemistry.
- Agronomic practices and careful consideration of nutrient and toxic element interactions are key to enhancing Se levels in crops for human health.
- Further research is needed to address challenges in improving Se biofortification while minimizing toxic element uptake.
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