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Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and animals and its deficiency in the diet is a global problem. Crop plants are the main source of Se for consumers. Therefore, there is much interest in understanding the factors that govern the accumulation and distribution of Se in the tissues of crop plants and the mechanisms of interaction of Se absorption and accumulation with other elements, especially with a view toward optimizing Se biofortification. An ideal crop for human consumption is rich in essential nutrient elements such as Se, while showing reduced accumulation of toxic elements in its edible parts. This review focuses on (a) summarizing the nutritional functions of Se and the current understanding of Se uptake by plant roots, translocation of Se from roots to shoots, and accumulation of Se in grains; and (b) discussing the influence of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) on the biofortification of Se. In addition, we discuss interactions of Se with major toxicant metals (Hg, As, and Cd) frequently present in soil. We highlight key challenges in the quest to improve Se biofortification, with a focus on both agronomic practice and human health.

Microbial nitrification in soils is a major contributor to nitrogen (N) loss in agricultural systems. Some plants can secrete organic substances that act as biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs), and a small number of BNIs have been identified and characterized. However, virtually no research has focused on the important food crop, rice (Oryza sativa). Here, 19 rice varieties were explored for BNI potential on the key nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea. Exudates from both indica and japonica genotypes were found to possess strong BNI potential. Older seedlings had higher BNI abilities than younger ones; Zhongjiu25 (ZJ25) and Wuyunjing7 (WYJ7) were the most effective genotypes among indica and japonica varieties, respectively. A new nitrification inhibitor, 1,9-decanediol, was identified, shown to block the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) pathway of ammonia oxidation and to possess an 80% effective dose (ED80) of 90μl−1. Plant N-use efficiency (NUE) was determined using a 15N-labeling method. Correlation analyses indicated that both BNI abilities and 1,9-decanediol amounts of root exudates were positively correlated with plant ammonium-use efficiency and ammonium preference. These findings provide important new insights into the plant–bacterial interactions involved in the soil N cycle, and improve our understanding of the BNI capacity of rice in the context of NUE.

Maintenance of root growth is essential for plant adaptation to soil drying. Here, we tested the hypothesis that auxin transport is involved in mediating ABA's modulation by activating proton secretion in the root tip to maintain root growth under moderate water stress. Rice and Arabidopsis plants were raised under a hydroponic system and subjected to moderate water stress (−0.47 MPa) with polyethylene glycol (PEG). ABA accumulation, auxin transport and plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity at the root tip were monitored in addition to the primary root elongation and root hair density. We found that moderate water stress increases ABA accumulation and auxin transport in the root apex. Additionally, ABA modulation is involved in the regulation of auxin transport in the root tip. The transported auxin activates the plasma membrane H+-ATPase to release more protons along the root tip in its adaption to moderate water stress. The proton secretion in the root tip is essential in maintaining or promoting primary root elongation and root hair development under moderate water stress. These results suggest that ABA accumulation modulates auxin transport in the root tip, which enhances proton secretion for maintaining root growth under moderate water stress.

The lignocellulosic biorefinery industry can be an important contributor to achieving global carbon net zero goals. However, low valorization of the waste lignin severely limits the sustainability of biorefineries. Using a hydrothermal reaction, we have converted sulfuric acid lignin (SAL) into a water-soluble hydrothermal SAL (HSAL). Here, we show the improvement of HSAL on plant nutrient bioavailability and growth through its metal chelating capacity. We characterize HSAL’s high ratio of phenolic hydroxyl groups to methoxy groups and its capacity to chelate metal ions. Application of HSAL significantly promotes root length and plant growth of both monocot and dicot plant species due to improving nutrient bioavailability. The HSAL-mediated increase in iron bioavailability is comparable to the well-known metal chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Therefore, HSAL promises to be a sustainable nutrient chelator to provide an attractive avenue for sustainable utilization of the waste lignin from the biorefinery industry. Biorefinery lignin waste has little value in the market. Here, Liu et al. find that water-soluble lignin, converted from sulfuric acid lignin, improves plant iron bioavailability and growth through a metal chelating capacity comparable to the metal chelator EDTA.

Iron (Fe) is essential for life, but in excess can cause oxidative cytotoxicity through the generation of Fe-catalyzed reactive oxygen species. It is yet unknown which genes and mechanisms can provide Fe-toxicity tolerance. Here, we identify S-nitrosoglutathione-reductase ( GSNOR ) variants underlying a major quantitative locus for root tolerance to Fe-toxicity in Arabidopsis using genome-wide association studies and allelic complementation. These variants act largely through transcript level regulation. We further show that the elevated nitric oxide is essential for Fe-dependent redox toxicity. GSNOR maintains root meristem activity and prevents cell death via inhibiting Fe-dependent nitrosative and oxidative cytotoxicity. GSNOR is also required for root tolerance to Fe-toxicity throughout higher plants such as legumes and monocots, which exposes an opportunity to address crop production under high-Fe conditions using natural GSNOR variants. Overall, this study shows that genetic or chemical modulation of the nitric oxide pathway can broadly modify Fe-toxicity tolerance. How plants deal with iron toxicity is still unclear. Here, the authors reveal that S-nitrosoglutathione-reductase ( GSNOR ) provides tolerance to iron toxicity by preventing iron-dependent nitrosative and oxidative cytotoxicity in Arabidopsis, legumes, and rice.

Biochar can potentially increase crop production in saline soils. However, the appropriate amount of biochar that should be applied to benefit from resource preservation and increase both grain yield (GY) and quality is not clear. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of biochar applied at various rates (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 t/ha) on the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), GY and amino acid (AA) contents of wheat plants in saline soils. The results showed that the application of 5–20 t/ha biochar increased wheat NUE by 5.2–37.9% and thus increased wheat GY by 2.9–19.4%. However, excessive biochar applications (more than 30 t/ha) had negative effects on both the NUE and GY of wheat. Biochar had little influence on leaf soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) values, the harvest index or yield components. The AAs were significantly affected by biochar, depending on the application rate. Among the application rates, 5–30 t/ha biochar resulted in relatively higher (by 5.2–19.1%) total AA contents. Similar trends were observed for each of the 17 essential AAs. In conclusion, the positive effects of biochar occurred when it was applied at appropriate rates, but the effects were negative when biochar was overused.

Aims Root exudates of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) can inhibit nitrification in Nitrosomonas bioassays, and 1,9-decanediol was recently identified as an important new biological nitrification inhibitor (BNI) from rice. However, the release characteristics of 1,9-decanediol have not been studied. The present study was designed to identify the major factors influencing the release of 1,9-decanediol from rice roots. Methods Rice plants were hydroponically grown in controlled environment chambers for 6 weeks, and root exudates were collected. Responses of exudate release to nitrogen form and concentration, pH, aeration, and bacterial inoculation were explored. The pH of root exudates, collected under different nitrogen-provision regimes, was determined, and 1,9-decanediol levels in exudates were monitored. Results Ammonium (NH 4 + ) and low pH in the root environment stimulated the release of 1,9-decanediol from rice roots. When only a part of the root system was exposed to NH 4 + , the secretion of 1,9-decanediol was triggered in the whole root system. Aeration of the root environment significantly enhanced 1,9-decanediol release. The presence of two major nitrifiers ( Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosomonas stercoris ) in the root medium stimulated release of 1,9-decanediol, whereas denitrifiers had no effect. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the release of 1,9-decanediol is enhanced by low to moderate concentrations of NH 4 + (≤1.0 mM), low pH, and aeration of the rhizosphere. Our study provides the first evidence of significant 1,9-decanediol secretion induced by nitrifying bacteria.

The root tip zone is regarded as the principal action site for iron (Fe) toxicity and is more sensitive than other root zones, but the mechanism underpinning this remains largely unknown. We explored the mechanism underpinning the higher sensitivity at the Arabidopsis root tip and elucidated the role of nitric oxide (NO) using NO-related mutants and pharmacological methods. Higher Fe sensitivity of the root tip is associated with reduced potassium (K+) retention. NO in root tips is increased significantly above levels elsewhere in the root and is involved in the arrest of primary root tip zone growth under excess Fe, at least in part related to NO-induced K+ loss via SNO1 (sensitive to nitric oxide 1)/SOS4 (salt overly sensitive 4) and reduced root tip zone cell viability. Moreover, ethylene can antagonize excess Fe-inhibited root growth and K+ efflux, in part by the control of root tip NO levels. We conclude that excess Fe attenuates root growth by effecting an increase in root tip zone NO, and that this attenuation is related to NO-mediated alterations in K+ homeostasis, partly via SNO1/SOS4.

Waterlogging poses a significant global threat to agriculture by inducing ion toxicities (e.g. Fe² + , Mn² + , NH 4 + ) in roots due to soil redox changes. This review synthesizes current insights into how plant roots, particularly in Arabidopsis, respond to these toxicities, focusing on root system architecture (RSA) modifications and underlying mechanisms. Under waterlogging, soil redox changes drive Fe² + and Mn² + accumulation in reducing layers, while NH 4 + -based fertilizers elevate NH 4 + :NO 3 - ratios. NH 4 + inhibits primary root (PR) elongation by disrupting cell division and energy metabolism via VTC1 and LPR2 genes, while locally stimulating lateral root (LR) formation through pH-dependent auxin diffusion. Ethylene and NO signaling interact to modulate gravitropism via PIN2 and ARG1/GSA1 pathways. Fe toxicity arrests PR growth by reducing cell activity in the root tip, involving ethylene, ROS (H 2 O 2 /O 2 - ), and NO pathways. GSNOR emerges as a key gene for Fe tolerance, balancing NO homeostasis. LR formation under Fe stress relies on PIN2/AUX1-mediated auxin transport and ferritin storage, with ROS-auxin crosstalk influencing adaptive responses. Mn toxicity inhibits PR elongation by repressing auxin biosynthesis (YUC genes) and efflux (PIN4/PIN7), while miR781 and cation transporters (CAX4, MTP11) facilitate detoxification. Vacuolar compartmentation and Ca² + signaling via ECA proteins are also critical. Despite progress, key gaps remain: identifying ion sensors in root tips, extrapolating findings to long-lived species, modeling multi-ion interactions under dynamic waterlogging conditions, and establishing real-time root signal monitoring systems. Integrating temporal and environmental factors (e.g. temperature) will enhance understanding of RSA reprogramming for waterlogging tolerance.

Plant growth regulators are known to exert strong influences on plant performance under abiotic stress, including exposure to high nitrate, as occurs commonly in intensive vegetable production. However, direct comparative evaluations of growth regulators under otherwise identical conditions in major crop species are scarce. In this study, tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) was used as a model crop, and the roles of four common exogenously applied plant growth regulators (MT, melatonin; SA, salicylic acid; HA, humic acid; SNP, sodium nitroprusside) in regulating crop growth were studied under high-nitrate stress. We provide a particular focus on root system architecture and root physiological responses. Our data show that all four growth regulators improve tomato tolerance under high nitrate, but that this occurs to differing extents and via differing mechanisms. Optimal concentrations of MT, SA, HA, and SNP were 50 μmol L –1 , 25 μmol L –1 , 25 mg L –1 , and 50 μmol L –1 , respectively. MT and SNP produced the strongest effects. MT enhanced root growth while SNP enhanced above-ground growth. Growth of coarse and thin lateral roots was significantly improved. Furthermore, an enhancement of root vitality and metabolism, improved integrity of root cell membranes, and an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities were found, but regulatory mechanisms were different for each growth regulator. Our results show that in particular the application of MT and SNP can improve growth of tomato in intensive vegetable production under high-nitrate stress and that root growth stimulation is of special importance in procuring these beneficial effects.