Effects of exogenous selenium on physiological characteristics and cadmium accumulation in Medicago sativa L. under cadmium stress.
Li C, Jiang N, Yang X, Jia C, Liu C
Phytoremediation
Vegetables grown in cadmium-contaminated soil near industrial areas or heavily fertilized farmland can quietly accumulate that metal into the food on your plate, and selenium applications may offer a practical way to reduce that risk.
Cadmium is a harmful metal that can sneak into plants through the soil and slow their growth. Scientists tested whether adding selenium — a natural element that plants and people need in small amounts — could help. They found that selenium treatment improved the plants' health and reduced how much cadmium ended up stored inside them.
Key Findings
Exogenous selenium application reduced cadmium accumulation in plant tissues compared to untreated controls
Selenium treatment improved physiological characteristics of cadmium-stressed plants, indicating a protective effect on growth and function
The study demonstrates a potential low-cost, soil-amendment strategy for managing cadmium uptake in crops grown on contaminated land
chevron_right Technical Summary
Adding selenium to soil can reduce how much cadmium — a toxic heavy metal found in contaminated soils — builds up inside plants, while also helping plants grow better under that stress.
Abstract Preview
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that inhibits plant growth by entering
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Gene editing removes 97% of celiac-triggering proteins from bread wheat
It could mean that people with celiac disease — roughly 1 in 100 worldwide — may one day safely eat bread made from real wheat, without sacrificing the taste...
Soil health is the capacity of soil to function as a living ecosystem, supporting complex interactions between microorganisms, soil fauna, and plant communities. For plant science, soil health is critical because these biological and chemical soil properties directly control nutrient availability,
arrow_forward Explore topic