Selenium levels in soil and tea as affected by soil properties in Jiangxi Province, China

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and animals, and Se deficiency-related diseases are a significant global health concern. Tea may help ameliorate Se deficiencies. However, the mechanisms of natural Se enrichment in tea remain poorly understood, particularly in high-Se soils, such as those in Jiangxi Province. This study conducted a comprehensive field survey of 67 soil and tea samples from Jiangxi, a major tea production region in China, to analysis spatial variation in Se concentrations and identify key driving mechanisms. The average soil Se concentration across Jiangxi was 0.44 mg kg− 1, exceeding both global (0.15 mg kg− 1) and Chinese (0.29 mg kg− 1) averages. Soil Se content was significantly influenced by soil organic matter (SOM), total…