Selenobacteria-mediated Se transformation and uptake involving the unique genetic code.

Selenium (Se) is a crucial micronutrient for human health. Plants are the primary source of Se for humans. Selenium in the soil serves as the primary source of Se for plants. The soil contains high total Se content in large areas in Guangxi, China. However, the available Se is low, hindering Se uptake by plants. Microorganisms play a pivotal role in the activation of Se in the soil, thereby enhancing its uptake by plants. In this study, selenobacteria were isolated from Se-rich soils in Guangxi. Then two selenobacteria strains, YLB1-6 and YLB2-1, representing the highest (30,000 µg/mL) and lowest (10,000 µg/mL) Se tolerance levels among the Se-tolerant bacteria, were selected for subsequent analysis. Although the two selenobacteria exhibited distinct effects, they can significantly transform Se species, resulting in a decrease in the soil residual Se (RES-Se) content while concurrently increasing the available Se (AVA-Se) content. Selenobacteria also enhance the transformation of Se valencies, with a significant increase observed in soluble Se6+ (SOL-Se6+). Additionally, selenobacteria can elevate the pH of acidic soil. Selenobacteria also promote the uptake of Se into plants. After treatment with YLB1-6 and YLB2-1, the Se content in the aboveground part of Chinese flowering cabbage increased by 1.96 times and 1.77 times, respectively, while the Se accumulation in the aboveground part of the plant significantly increased by 104.36% and 81.69%, respectively, compared to the control. Further whole-genome sequencing revealed the genetic difference between the two selenobacteria. Additionally, 46 and 38 candidate genes related to selenium utilization were identified from YLB1-6 and YLB2-1, respectively. This work accelerates our understanding of the potential molecular mechanism of Se biofortification by selenobacteria. It also provides microorganisms and gene targets for improving crop varieties or microorganisms to exploit the rich Se source in soil.

[Dynamics of DDMS and DDMU in soils under rice and ryegrass planting].

Dynamics of DDMS and DDMU in soils with DDT application under rice and ryegrass planting by pot experiment in greenhouse was conducted. Results show that DDE/DDD is slightly increased, and only about 20 ng x g(-1) DDMU or DDMS could be found in ryegrass soil at the end of the experiment. However, the DDD, DDMS and DDMU are formed very rapidly in rice soil. By the 84th day of the experiment of rice planting, DDT residue is 70-80 ng x g(-1), about 2% of the concentration added at the first of the experiment, meanwhile, concentrations of DDD, DDMS and DDMU are increased to the highest level. Concentration of DDMS and DDMU is detected at 28 and 115 ng x g(-1) respectively. On the other hand, above phenomena are not observed in the aged DDT of soils, which implies that submerging could increase degradation of DDT added newly to DDD and DDMS/DDMU, but not for the aged DDT of soils.