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Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient and important component of oxidase which protects cell membranes, eliminate the role of free radicals in the human body. Se is necessary for low Se rice genotypes and Se deficient areas. Zinc (Zn) is a micro-battalion that affects the growth, development, aging, drought resistance, disease resistance, and many other aspects for rice. The effects of Se and Zn fertilization on Se and Zn concentrations were evaluated including the response of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) enzymes activity, and grain yield under single Se, Zn, and combined Se-Zn application using R725 rice variety in pot experiment with 8 treatments (0, Zn5, Zn10, Zn15, Se1, Zn5 + Se1, Zn10 + Se1, and Zn15 + Se1) mg/kg of soil and three replications. Moreover, germination% and seedling growth of resulted seeds from this experiment were evaluated for the agronomical benefit of farmers. The results revealed that Se and Zn had a cumulative effect on each other, but more Se increase was activated than Zn under the combined Se-Zn application. Zinc application had the small effect on Zn concentration in the different fractions but the positive effect on carotenoids and the yield (both applied alone and in combination with Se). Single Se application resulted in a positive effect on Zn accumulation in grain and husk with the high effectiveness of Se accumulation and loss during processing. Combined Se-Zn application had positive effect on carotenoids, CAT, grain yield, and total dry matter. Moreover, single Zn and combined Se-Zn application had a positive effect on germination% and seedling growth. Agronomic biofortification with combined Se-Zn supply provided both agronomic and nutritional benefits for rice in the current pot trail. However, as Se preferably accumulated in the edible part as compared to Zn, 1 mg Se/kg fertilization was unsafe for edible purposes according to the national standard of China (0.04–0.3 mg/kg) but could be recommended as medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played a pivotal role in maintaining the health of people, and the intrinsic quality of TCM is directly related to the clinical efficacy. The medicinal ingredients of TCM are derived from the secondary metabolites of plant metabolism and are also the result of the coordination of various physiological activities in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the most ubiquitous plant mutualists that enhance the growth and yield of plants by facilitating the uptake of nutrients and water. Symbiosis of AMF with higher plants promotes growth and helps in the accumulation of secondary metabolites. However, there is still no systematic analysis and summation of their roles in the application of TCM, biosynthesis and accumulation of active substances of herbs, as well as the mechanisms. AMF directly or indirectly affect the accumulation of secondary metabolites of TCM, which is the focus of this review. First, in this review, the effects of AMF symbiosis on the content of different secondary metabolites in TCM, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids, are summarized. Moreover, the mechanism of AMF regulating the synthesis of secondary metabolites was also considered, in combination with the establishment of mycorrhizal symbionts, response mechanisms of plant hormones, nutritional elements and expression of key enzyme their activities. Finally, combined with the current application prospects for AMF in TCM, future in-depth research is planned, thus providing a reference for improving the quality of TCM. In this manuscript, we review the research status of AMF in promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites in TCM to provide new ideas and methods for improving the quality of TCM., (© 2022 German Society for Plant Sciences, Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)