Selenium Nanoparticles Regulate Antioxidant Enzymes and Flavonoid Compounds in Fagopyrum dibotrys

<i>Fagopyrum dibotrys</i> is a herbal plant. Selenium (Se) is a beneficial element for plants; selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are gaining importance in food and agriculture due to their low toxicity and high activity. This study revealed that foliar application of SeNPs enhanced superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and peroxisome activities and significantly enhanced the flavonoid compound content in <i>F. dibotrys</i>. SeNPs with a concentration of 5.0 mg L^-1 also promoted the growth of <i>F. dibotrys</i>. The foliar application of SeNPs could be absorbed by pores in leaves of <i>F. dibotrys</i> and mainly transformed to selenomethionine (32.5-43.2%) and selenocysteine (23.4-38.4%) in leaves and tubers of <i>F. dibotrys.</i> Consequently, this study offers a profound understanding of plants' uptake and biotransformation of SeNPs. Furthermore, the findings of this study have suggested that SeNPs can be applied to improve the quantity and quality of the herbal plant of <i>F. dibotrys</i>.