Application of selenium-engineered nanomaterials to paddy soil promote rice production by improving soil health

Enhancing sustainable rice production is crucial for global food security. Here we demonstrate that 0.1 mg kg‒1selenium-engineered nanomaterials promote rice (Oryza sativa L.) tillering and yield by optimizing the rhizosphere microbial community, improving nitrogen use efficiency, and modulating plant hormones and growth-related genes. Using pot experiments with five different soils and field trials in China, we found that soil organic carbon strongly influences nanomaterial effectiveness. Field results demonstrated a 10.7% yield increase and a 309.8% rise in grain selenium concentration, with no adverse effects on soil quality. Predictive modeling calculated that selenium-enhanced agriculture could increase profits by +$231.5 ha−1, reduce CO2 emissions by 1.12 Tons ha−1, and produce selenium-rich grains ( ~ 20 μg·100 g−1) to address dietary deficiencies. Our findings highlight the potential of selenium nanomaterials to sustainably boost rice production, urging further research across diverse ecosystems to optimize their agricultural and environmental benefits. Rice production increased by almost 11% due to optimized rhizosphere microbial community, improved efficiency of nitrogen use, and modulated plant hormone, when selenium-engineered nanomaterials were added to paddy soil, according to pot and field experiments conducted in China.