Main process and factors affecting selenium absorption by plant roots and leaves

Selenium has functions such as anti-cancer, anti-aging and improving human immunity, and after being absorbed and transformed by plants, it can be absorbed and utilized by the organism in a safer and more efficient way. Thus the Se-enrichment in the economic organs is the core of the product functions. However, the Se-enriched products currently available on the market vary in Se contents, and are generally low in Se content. Therefore, it is worth of systematically study on the pathways, key processes and influencing factors of Se uptake by plants, to improve the efficiency of selenium enrichment in plants. Se can be absorbed by roots and leaves of plants. Geographical location, soil parent materials and physicochemical properties affect Se uptake by roots. Se fertilizer characters including source and type and auxins used, foliar spraying concentration of Se, and leaf structure and age, plant growing stages all influence the Se uptake efficiency by plant leaves. Accordingly, recommendations are also proposed for strengthen the study of influencing factors and regulatory mechanisms of selenium uptake by plants and to establish a relatively standard experimental model and evaluation system for selenium-rich products, in order to fill the gap between research and production as soon as possible and promote the healthy development of selenium-rich oriented functional agricultural science.