This book covers many facets of plant selenium (Se) accumulation: molecular genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and ecological and evolutionary aspects. Broader impacts and applications of plant Se accumulation also receive attention. Plant Se accumulation is very relevant for environmental and human health. Selenium is both essential at low levels and toxic at high levels, and both Se deficiency and toxicity are problems worldwide. Selenium can positively affect crop productivity and nutritional value. Plants may also be used to clean up excess environmental Se. Selenium in plants has profound ecological impact, and likely contributes to Se movement in ecosystems and global Se cycling.

The 4th International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health was held 18-21 October 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This conference provided an effective scientific communication platform for researchers in different disciplines worldwide to elucidate and better understand those complex roles of Se as both essential nutrient and environmental contaminant. This proceedings volume includes 98 peer-reviewed extended abstracts prepared by Se researchers from 28 countries. These most recent Se research studies address inter-relationships between the geological and atmospheric environment, agricultural food and selenium-biofortified food crops, human and animal health impacts, and genetic, biochemical, and cell and molecular activities. This book presents a unique myriad of Se research to further our international understanding of the role of Se in the context of biochemistry, food chain transfer, and health-related issues.

The biological importance of selenium has been firmly established by scientists for its intricate roles in various biochemical and physiological mechanisms related to animal and human health. To evaluate different facets of selenium in today's complex environment and to provide a worldwide platform for multi-disciplinary selenium researchers, the 6th International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health was held from 27 to 30 October 2019 in Yangling/Xi'an, China. This proceedings volume brings together 103 extended abstracts prepared by contributors from academia, industry, and governmental agencies in 18 countries, including some most recent research findings among different selenium research disciplines from cell molecular and plant biology, geochemistry, biofortification, to environmental and health management. Selenium researchers worldwide provide extraordinary new knowledge on selenium in the peer-reviewed texts contained within this book.

Selenium is arguably the naturally occurring trace element of greatest concern worldwide. In excessive amounts it can lead to toxicosis and teratogenesis in animals, while the impact of selenium deficiency can be even more significant. Contributors from 22 countries explored the connections and inter-relationships between selenium in the environment, agriculture, human and animal health, and molecular and biochemistry processes to complete this book containing 90 peer-reviewed extended abstracts. The text represents glimpses of the presentations that were delivered at the 3rd International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health in 2013 in Hefei, China. We are indebted to the international authors representing a multitude of disciplines from academic, industry, and governments for sharing their extraordinary new knowledge on selenium research.

This book covers many facets of plant selenium (Se) accumulation: molecular genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and ecological and evolutionary aspects. Broader impacts and applications of plant Se accumulation also receive attention. Plant Se accumulation is very relevant for environmental and human health. Selenium is both essential at low levels and toxic at high levels, and both Se deficiency and toxicity are problems worldwide. Selenium can positively affect crop productivity and nutritional value. Plants may also be used to clean up excess environmental Se. Selenium in plants has profound ecological impact, and likely contributes to Se movement in ecosystems and global Se cycling.

Although ending world hunger remains the most important goal, increasingly the focus is on simultaneously improving world malnutrition. Paradoxically, nutritionally important trace elements essential for human health are both deficient and over-abundant in soils in many regions of the world. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Development and Uses of Biofortified Agricultural Products provides new strategies and techniques for the production of biofortified agricultural products from different soils. Seventeen contributors from twelve countries explore the effects of environmental and biological factors on the accumulation and speciation of nutritionally important trace elements in agricultural products. They explore novel strategies regarding the functional foods and animal feed and other forms of biofortified agricultural products. The text addresses alternative biosources and bioproducts produced from phytoremediation processes as well as the bioavailability and the effects of bioproduct compounds. The editors comprehensively synthesize the ever-mounting body of new information on biofortification, including theoretical, practical, and practiced agricultural-based strategies in micronutrient management and improvement in different types of soils. The book provides a unique and useful platform to further the understanding of nutritionally important trace elements in the context of biogeochemistry, food chain transfer, and health-related issues.