Selenium as a powerful trace element for mitigation of plant salt stress: A review

Abstract

Background

Selenium (Se) is an important trace element with several positive impacts for animal and human health. Salinity poses a substantial problem to agriculture and crop production worldwide, that necessitates innovative procedures to enhance salt tolerance of crop species. Selenium (Se) and Selenium nanoparticles (Se–NPs) application is a simple and effective practice for boosting growth and productivity of crop species under salt conditions.

Objective

The aim of this review was to summarize recent literature on about the efficiency of Se and Se–NPs amendments to enhance plant growth and crop productivity under saline conditions.

Methodology

In this review, we have delved the effects of Se and Se-NPs on seed priming and germination under salt stress. We explored the effects of Se on plant growth, mineral nutrition and photosynthesis activity. Different effects modulated by Se and Se-NPs to improve the water relations, oxidative defense system and osmolyte production are also reviewed.

Conclusion

We have concluded that Se and Se-NPs supply offer a very promising solution to improve plant growth and salt stress tolerance of crop species. We emphasize the requirement of further investigations to elucidate the forms, accurate doses, and timing of Se amendments on plants subjected to salt stress, and to assess their long-term environmental impacts.