Summary
This narrative review examines selenium's complex role in plant physiology and human nutrition. As suggested by the title and journal scope, the paper synthesises current understanding of how plants accumulate, metabolise, and tolerate selenium, with implications for both crop biofortification strategies (to address human selenium deficiency) and food safety concerns (where excess accumulation may occur). The authors likely evaluate agronomic and environmental factors influencing selenium concentration in edible tissues.
UK applicability
Selenium content in UK-grown crops is typically low owing to naturally depleted soils; the findings are relevant to policy discussions around optional selenium fertiliser use and imported food composition data. The review may inform crop breeding and cultivation strategies to enhance micronutrient density whilst avoiding toxicity thresholds.
Key measures
Selenium concentration in plant tissues; plant growth parameters under selenium stress; selenium bioavailability in food crops; phytotoxicity thresholds
Outcomes reported
The study examined selenium's dual role in plants—as an essential micronutrient for human health when present in optimal concentrations, and as a potential toxin when accumulated excessively. The review synthesised evidence on selenium metabolism, plant uptake mechanisms, and implications for crop biofortification and food safety.
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