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REVIEW article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Terrestrial Microbiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1448539
This article is part of the Research Topic Microorganisms in Agricultural Soil: Advances and Challenges of Biological Health View all articles

Unveiling the vital role of soil microorganisms in selenium cycling: A review

Provisionally accepted
Zhihui Jiang Zhihui Jiang 1Zhiyong Wang Zhiyong Wang 1Yong Zhao Yong Zhao 2Mu Peng Mu Peng 1*
  • 1 Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, China
  • 2 BaiCheng Normal University, Baicheng, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Selenium (Se) is a vital trace element integral to numerous biological processes in both plants and animals, with significant impacts on soil health and ecosystem stability. This review explores how soil microorganisms facilitate Se transformations through reduction, oxidation, methylation, and demethylation processes, thereby influencing the bioavailability and ecological functions of Se. The microbial reduction of Se compounds, particularly the conversion of selenate and selenite to elemental Se nanoparticles, enhances Se assimilation by plants and impacts soil productivity. Key microbial taxa, including bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus, exhibit diverse mechanisms for Se reduction and play a substantial role in the global Se cycle. Understanding these microbial processes is essential for advancing soil management practices and improving ecosystem health. This review underscores the intricate interactions between Se and soil microorganisms, emphasizing their significance in maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

    Keywords: Selenium, Soil, microorganisms, biogeochemical cycling, Selenium reduction

    Received: 13 Jun 2024; Accepted: 27 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Jiang, Wang, Zhao and Peng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Mu Peng, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.