Advancement of nanoselenium synthesis from polysaccharides and its application in agricultural production

Abstract Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals. It is involved in many biochemical processes in plants. It has significant effects on drought resistance, photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and nutrient uptake in plants. Nevertheless, the bioavailability and biological activity of Se are relatively limited, limiting its widespread use in nature. Fortunately, the rapid development of nanotechnology has opened up new avenues for precision regulation in agriculture. Among them, nanoselenium, with its unique physical and chemical properties, has demonstrated excellent advantages in promoting plant growth and development and improving crop quality. It is particularly noteworthy that polysaccharide (PS), as an environmentally friendly dispersant, can effectively prepare stable and uniformly dispersed selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), which are not only biocompatible, but also exhibit excellent bioactivity. Studies have shown that Se NPs can significantly enhance the photosynthetic rate and growth rate of crops, promote the optimal development of the root system structure, and thus improve the efficiency of soil nutrient uptake and utilization. However, there is still a lack of research on the application of polysaccharide selenium nanoparticles (PS‐Se NPs) in agricultural practice. In fact, PS‐Se NPs can not only further optimize crop quality and increase the accumulation of nutrients and functional constituents, but also significantly enhance crop stress tolerance and effectively reduce the negative impact of environmental stresses on crops. In summary, the combination of Se NPs and PS offers new opportunities for sustainable agricultural development, and its exploratory practice will greatly contribute to global agricultural progress.