Abstract
Selenium is considered as an essential trace element for humans, animals and microorganisms, but its role in higher plants is unclear. The boundary between Se as beneficial nutrient and a toxic element is very narrow. Selenium application at lower level stimulates growth and development in plants but at the higher level it exerts toxic effects. Selenium is a constituent of seleno-proteins having both structural and enzymatic roles. Lack of Se in selenium-deficient areas is linked with various health disorders in humans and animals, while an excess of Se causes diseases related to hair and nails. It also affects a large portion of world population. Selenium is declining in the food chain; hence various strategies are required to increase its intake. Cereals constitute an important component of human diet, which can provide a large portion of Se to Se-deficient regions. Increasing the Se content of cereals represents a food systems approach that would increase its intake, with consequent likely improvement in public health, and health cost savings. Moreover, application of Se at low concentration stimulates the growth and physiology of cereals. We present here an insight into the effects of Se supplementation on growth and nutritional aspects in some selective cereals.
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