It is evident the increase in the occurrence of different stresses that impact agriculture and so there has been an increase in research to study stress mitigators including silicon (Si) and selenium (Se). However, the great challenge to be answered would be to assess whether it is possible to maximize these benefits by combining these two elements. Therefore, this review focused on discussing the feasibility of combining Se and Si in mitigating abiotic stresses and also measuring gains in yield and quality of agricultural products. These are the main challenges of plant mineral nutrition with these two elements for sustainable cultivation, ensuring food security with the possibility of improving human health. As the mode of application of an element can change absorption and assimilation processes and consequently the plant's response, it is important to consider research with supply of these elements via the foliar and root route. Thus, we highlighted the potential of the combined application of Se and Si and whether or not they are relevant to overcome the individual application in stress mitigation or even in plants without stress. In addition, we pointed out new directions for research on this topic in order to reinforce the combined use of stress relievers and their potential benefit to crop plants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can affect the host's ability to cope with several environmental stresses, such as heavy metal stress. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the inoculation on growth and physio-biochemical parameters and lead (Pb) accumulation in liquorice ( L.) under Pb stress. A factorial experiment was performed with the combination of two factors, fungi (inoculated and non-inoculated (NM)) and soil Pb levels (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg kg soil) with four replicates. In the presence of Pb, symbiosis with exert positive effect on growth parameters, which was more significant in shoots than roots. Mycorrhization improved fresh and dry weights and length in shoot by 147, 112.5 and 83%, respectively, compared to NM plants at Pb150 level. Moreover, significantly increased tolerance index and the concentrations of soluble sugars and flavonoids in shoots and proline, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc and manganese in shoots and roots but decreased their malondialdehyde concentrations under Pb stress. The Pb concentrations, transfer and bioaccumulation factors of mycorrhizal plants were less than non-mycorrhizal ones. A positive correlation was also observed between glomalin secretion and colonization rate in Pb treated soils. These results indicate the importance of mycorrhizal colonization in alleviating the Pb-induced stress in liquorice, mainly through improving the nutrition, modifying reactive oxygen species detoxifying metabolites and reducing the translocation of Pb to shoots. Observations revealed that mycorrhization of liquorice would be an efficient strategy to use in the phytoremediation practices of Pb-contaminated soils.