Interplay between selenium and mineral elements to improve plant growth and development

Abstract Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soils poses serious threat to plants and animals and humans consuming agricultural products. Increased concentrations of these metal pollutants modify growth response of plants by affecting the absorption, distribution, and assimilation of essential mineral nutrients. However, presence of some metals like selenium (Se) in suitable range is also considered essential for plant growth, yield, and quality. Hence, interactions between Se and essential nutrients may cause toxicity of one element and deficiency of the other. There is a narrow line between the sufficient and toxic concentrations of metal ions like selenium; thereby, it is important to study their cross talk with essential elements for the development of suitable nutrition management plan. In this chapter, recent studies focused on understanding competitive interactions between plant nutrients and Se are summarized. Reports suggest that Se interplay with other nutrients involves a wide range of physiological and metabolic interactions. Se-dependent antioxidant machinery also plays an important role in nutrient uptake, translocation, and accumulation in plant tissues. Taken together a better understanding of Se interaction with other elements would extend our knowledge about the biological significance of Se in plant growth.