Water deficit (WD) is a phenomenon increasingly in different regions worldwide impacting agricultural production and food security. Selenium (Se) fertilization can help mitigate stress in plants, promoting greater resistance to adverse conditions, this element acts as an antioxidant, protecting plant cells from damage caused by environmental stress. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit effect of Se against WD by regulating metabolic responses. In a pot experiment, maize seedlings (V3 phenological stage) were exposed to WD (50%) and foliar application of Se at 50 g ha