Appraisal of Functions and Role of Selenium in Heavy Metal Stress Adaptation in Plants

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination is one of the main abiotic factors affecting crop productivity and also threatens human health via consuming metal-contaminated crops as a food source. Over past few years, HMs have drawn lot attention due to their increased use for commercial purposes harmful effects on plants other life forms, thus threatening survival. However, several methods been adopted in recent years combat harsh HMs. After phytohormones, mineral nutrients such selenium (Se) prevention HM stress has explored by researchers more recently. Selenium an important micronutrient widely known its antioxidant properties animals. Exogenous Se inhibits metal uptake translocation improves system, imparting resistance toxicity plants. Moreover, regulates production various osmolytes cells, which helps develop cell osmolarity. produces different secondary metabolites plants’ defense mechanisms against stresses. The vital process plant growth development, positively correlated with under metalloid toxicity. understand exact mechanism tolerance, metabolic processes stimulated pathways need be explored. Hence, this review focuses role nutritional status, metabolism, interaction phytohormones regulation genes involved Se-induced tolerance. Thus, study will help future improvement tolerance application