Selenium mediated host plant-mite conflict: defense and adaptation.

Plants can resist spider mite feeding by accumulating selenium. Spider mites subjected to long-term selenium exposure can adapt to selenium by increasing the expression of key genes involved in selenium metabolism. These results elucidate the mechanism of the interaction between mites and host plants mediated by selenium. This study of the interaction between selenium-mediated host plants and spider mites may lead to the development of new and less toxic methods for the prevention and control of spider mites. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.