Abstract: Among trace metals, cadmium (Cd) , arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) are classified as the most harmful contaminants in farmland to many organisms including plants, animals and humans. Rice is a staple food which is consumed by half population of the world. Due to longer growth period, rice plant can easily absorb and accumulate the trace metals from soil. Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for human beings and animals. Appropriate doses of selenium were found to promote rice growth, and improve of rice yield and quality. Moreover, selenium is considered to be an uptake inhibitor of heavy metals in rice. In recent years, most studies have focused their attention on the antagonism between heavy metals and selenium in the growth of rice. Effects of selenium on the absorption, transport and detoxification mechanisms of cadmium, arsenic and mercury in rice were reviewed, which could provide a theory basis and feasible measure for the researches to reduce heavy metals and improve selenium level in rice grains.

Key words: selenium, rice, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, uptake, alleviation