Selenium promotes the upregulation of ZIP transporters, facilitating the translocation and accumulation of zinc and other micronutrients in maize exposed to sulfate salinity.

Selenium at 10 μM Na2SeO4 upregulates specific ZIP transporters and HMA3 in Zn-sufficient maize under 50 mM Na2SO4 sulfate salinity, enhancing Zn and micronutrient uptake.

• Why it matters: Sulfate salinity disrupts zinc acquisition, and while Se–S synergy is reported, the transporter-level mechanism for Se-driven metal uptake under sulfate stress is unclear.
• What they did: Maize was grown hydroponically with two Se levels (0 or 10 μM Na2SeO4), two Zn levels (0 or 0.5 μM ZnSO4), and two salinity conditions (non-saline or 50 mM Na2SO4), then transporter expression was measured.
• The result: In Zn-sufficient plants, Se increased ZIP transporter expression (roots: ZmZIP2, ZmZIP4, ZmZIP5; leaves: ZmZIP1, ZmZIP2, ZmZIP4) and HMA3, linked to greater xylem translocation and micronutrient uptake under sulfate salinity, while Se-free plants showed no change.

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