Selenium in horticultural crops

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health and functions in preventing cancer, boosting immunity, detoxifying cells. Horticultural plants require Se for people's diet, and its mechanisms in plant metabolism and functions are necessary. This review mainly focuses on five aspects of Se in plants, its content, metabolism, functions in the growth and development of horticultural crops, crosstalk between Se and other elements, and its effects on signaling transduction in horticultural crops. Genes involved in auxin, abscisic acid and other signaling pathways influenced by Se are discussed. Additionally, the potential physiological functions of Se are forecasted and future planting solutions for better and safer Se nutrition are discussed.