Attenuation of inorganic arsenic and cadmium in rice grains using by-product iron materials from the casting industry combined with different water management practices

We examined the effect of two types of iron (Fe) material produced by the casting industry (spent steel shot [SSS] and residual iron material from steel shot production) on the mobility of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soils. We also examined the uptake of these elements by rice plants (Oryza Sativa L.) under continuously flooded (CF) and water-saving (WS) cultivation. The application of both Fe materials (at 10 and 30 t ha^?1) strictly limited As mobilization in soils under CF cultivation. As a result, As uptake by rice plants declined, along with the total and inorganic As (iAs) concentration in rice grains. In comparison, As immobilization caused by the application of Fe material was less clear under WS cultivation. The rate of Fe material application was negatively correlated with As uptake by rice plants. It was also negatively correlated with total and iAs concentration in rice grains under both water management practices. The combination of applying Fe materials and WS cultivation decreased iAs concentration in rice grains to approximately one-fifth of that in rice grains produced from plants grown on soils without Fe material application under CF cultivation. CF cultivation strictly decreased dissolved Cd in soils, as well as Cd in rice grains with and without Fe material application. The application of Fe materials decreased Cd mobility and, hence, Cd uptake in rice plants, ultimately reducing the accumulation of Cd in rice grains under WS cultivation. Residual Fe material had a statistically greater effect at attenuating Cd accumulation in rice grains than SSS. The present study demonstrated the potential of combining by-product Fe material application and water management practices to attenuate iAs and/or Cd concentrations in rice grains. Practical countermeasures should be carefully adopted that consider the existing risks of iAs and Cd on each paddy field, and the combined effect of Fe material application and water management practices.     

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings enriched with zinc or manganese: Their impacts on cadmium accumulation and expression of related genes

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in paddy soils means that the rice produced there may be unsafe for human consumption. A hydroponic study was conducted to enrich rice seedlings with zinc (Zn) or manganese (Mn), and the uptake and transport characteristics of Cd in these Zn- and Mn-rich seedlings were subsequently investigated using a greenhouse pot trial. The results showed that hydroponic cultivation in 10–50 μmol L^-1 Zn (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) or 50–250 μmol L^-1 Mn (MnSO₄·H₂O) for 30 d had no significant impact on rice growth, while the accumulation of Zn and Mn was 7.31–18.5 and 25.4–47.7 times higher, respectively, than in the control (no Zn or Mn addition). The accumulation of Cd in the Zn- and Mn-rich rice plants was 26.3%–38.6% and 34.4%–44.5% lower than that in the control, respectively, and the translocation factors of Cd from roots to shoots also decreased by 23.3%–41.3% and 25.3%–37.0%, respectively, after transplanting to Cd-contaminated soils. Furthermore, the relative expression levels of OsIRT1 (Oryza sativa iron-regulated transporter 1) were downregulated by 40.1%–59.3% and 16.0%–25.9%, respectively, in the Zn- and Mn-rich seedling roots. This downregulation may indicate a possible mechanism contributing to the reductions in Cd absorption. Field experiments confirmed that the Zn- and Mn-rich seedlings produced brown rice (unpolished rice grains) with significantly decreased concentrations of Cd (34.2%–44.4%). This study provides an innovative method for reducing the food safety risks from rice grown on slightly to moderately Cd-contaminated paddy soils.     

Biochar reduced soil extractable Cd but increased its accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivated on contaminated soils

Purpose

This study focused on the effects and mechanisms of biochar amendment to Cd-contaminated soil on the uptake and translocation of Cd by rice under flooding conditions.

Materials and methods

Pot and batch experiments were conducted using Cd-contaminated soil collected from a field near an ore mining area and a cultivar of Oryza sativa ssp. indica. Biochar derived from rice straw under anaerobic conditions at 500 °C for 2 h was mixed with the soil at the rate of 0, 2.5, and 5%.

Results and discussion

The application of 5% biochar reduced CaCl₂-extractable soil Cd by 34% but increased Cd concentration in brown rice by 451%. Biochar amendment decreased water-soluble Fe²⁺ in soils and formation of Fe plaques on roots and weakened the Fe²⁺-Cd²⁺ competition at adsorption sites on the root surface. Biochar increased water-soluble Cd in the soil and consequently Cd uptake by rice roots by releasing water-soluble Cl^?. Biochar application also reduced the proportion of cell wall-bound Cd in the root, which caused easier Cd translocation from the cortex to the stele in the root and up to the shoot.

Conclusions

Rice straw biochar (with high concentration of water-soluble Cl^?) reduced CaCl₂-extractable soil Cd but increased Cd concentration in rice under flooding condition.

     

Effect of Cadmium and Iron on Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Plant in Chelator-Buffered Nutrient Solution

ABSTRACT

To better understand the mechanisms responsible for differences in uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd), nutrient-solution experiments were conducted with different varieties of rice (Oryza sativa), ‘Khitish’ and ‘CNRH3’. The plants were grown in a complete nutrient solution with different levels of pCd (-log free Cd⁺² activity) and pFe [-log free iron (Fe⁺²) activity]. The required concentrations of chelating agent and metals were determined using a computerized chemical equilibrium model such as Geochem-PC. Experimental treatments included a combination of four pCd activity levels (0, 7.9, 8.2, and 8.5) applied as Cd (NO₃)₂ 4H₂O, and two pFe activity levels (17.0 and 17.8) applied as FeCl₃. The application of both Cd and Fe in solution culture significantly affected plant growth, yield, and Cd accumulation in plant tissue. In general, yield of rice was decreased by an increase in amount of solution Cd; however, yield response varied among the cultivars. At the 7.9 pCd level, yields of rice cultivars ‘Khitish’ and ‘CNRH3’ were reduced to 69% and 65%, respectively, compared with control plants. Root Cd concentrations ranged from 2.6 mg kg^?1 (control plants) to 505.7 mg kg^?1 and were directly related to solution Cd concentrations. In rice plants, Cd toxicity symptoms resembled Fe chlorosis. Differential tolerance of varieties to phytotoxicity was not readily visible, but a significant interaction of substrate Cd and variety was obtained from dry-matter yields. Significant interactions indicated that response of tissue Cd concentration, plant Cd uptake, and translocation of Cd to the aerial parts were dependent on variety as well as substrate Cd. Uptake of Cd by roots was significantly higher than by shoots. Higher Cd uptake by rice plants decreased the uptake of other beneficial metals.

The effect of Cd and Fe on the rate of phytometallophore release was also studied in the nutrient solution. Among the rice genotypes, ‘Khitish’ was the most sensitive to Cd toxicity. In both genotypes, with the onset of visual Cd-toxicity symptoms, the release of phytometallophore (PM) was enhanced. Among the rice varieties, ‘Khitish’ had the highest rate of PM release. Treatments with the metal ions studied produced a decrease in chlorophyll and enzyme activity. A decrease in concentrations of chlorophyll pigments in the third leaf was observed due to the highest activity level of Cd (pCd 7.9). Activities of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are altered by toxic amounts of Cd. Changes in enzyme activities occurred at the lowest activity of Cd (pCd 8.5) in solution. Peroxidase activity increased in the third leaf. Results showed that in contrast with growth parameters, the measurements of enzyme activities may be included as early biomarkers in a plant bioassay to assess the phytotoxicity of Cd-contaminated solution on rice plants. Evidence that Cd uptake and translocation are genetically controlled warrants the selection of varieties that assimilate the least Cd and that translocate the least metal to the plant part to be used for human and animal consumption.     

Genotypic variation in grain cadmium concentration of lowland rice

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of paddy rice soils is commonly observed in the Yangtse River Delta, China. Large Cd uptake by rice plants and its translocation into the grains can entail human‐health risks. Genotypic variations in Cd uptake and a differential Cd partitioning into grains will be the basis for developing a rice screening or breeding tool for low grain Cd. A field experiment, conducted at the experimental farm of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province from 2002 to 2004, compared 38 rice genotypes of different types (indica vs. japonica) collected from the Yangtse River Delta. The results showed large differences in Cd concentrations in straw, brown rice, and grain chaff among the rice genotypes grown on Cd‐contaminated soil. Concentrations in brown rice ranged from 0.06 to 0.99 mg Cd kg^–1. The total Cd uptake in brown rice varied between 0.96 and 28.58 μg plant ^{– 1}. In general, indica‐type cultivars accumulated significantly more Cd than the japonica‐type cultivars. The Cd concentration in straw was highly correlated with that in brown rice. While significant differences in the Cd‐partitioning ratio (% share of total Cd uptake found in brown rice) among rice genotypes were observed, these were not correlated with Cd concentration of brown rice. This indicates that the Cd accumulation in rice grains appears to be governed mainly by the Cd uptake by the plant and probably not by differential Cd partitioning. The large genotypic variation suggests the possibility to lower the Cd content of rice by genotype selection. The development of such breeding tools should focus on low Cd uptake rather than Cd partitioning between straw and grain.     

Mechanisms of cadmium accumulation in rice grains and molecular breeding for its reduction

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) has an important impact on agriculture, as the excessive consumption of this element from contaminated food crops leads to toxicity in humans. Rice is the greatest source of dietary Cd intake in populations consuming rice as a staple food. Therefore, reducing the Cd concentration of rice grains for diminishing the potential risk of Cd for human health is a major challenge. This review summarizes the main achievements on Cd accumulation in rice by our research group. Using a positron-emitting tracer imaging system, we succeeded to visualize differences in real-time Cd dynamics from roots to panicles in rice varieties with different Cd accumulation abilities. Several loci or genes responsible for Cd accumulation in rice were found through quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analysis. Using the QTL qCdp7 responsible for efficiently extracting Cd from paddy soils, practical rice varieties for Cd-phytoextraction were developed by DNA marker-assisted breeding. A rice variety named ‘Koshihikari Kan No.1? carrying a mutant allele of OsNramp5 for reducing Cd concentration in rice grains was produced by mutant breeding with ion-beams, and breeding programs have been implemented to transfer this allele into many Japanese rice varieties by DNA marker-assisted breeding. Growing low-Cd varieties aerobically would be a feasible way to simultaneously reduce inorganic arsenic and Cd concentrations in rice grains. These results provide basis for reducing Cd concentration in rice through breeding new varieties.     

Interaction Between Phosphorus Nutrition and Drought on Grain Yield,and Assimilation of Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Two Soybean Cultivars Differing in Protein Concentration in Grains

ABSTRACT

Drought affects many physiological and biochemical processes and thus reduces plant growth. Phosphorus (P) fertilization improves tolerance to drought stress in many plants. A greenhouse experiment examined the interactive effects of P nutrition and drought stress on P accumulation and translocation, yield, and protein concentration in grains of two cultivars of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Plants of cultivars ‘Heisheng 101’ (high protein in grains) and ‘Dongnong 464’ (low protein) were grown in a P-deficient soil supplied with 0–30 mg P kg^?1 soil. Drought stress was imposed at the initial flowering (R1) or the podding (R4) stage. Drought stress limited P accumulation and reduced P translocation to the seed. The addition of P enhanced the concentration and accumulation of nitrogen (N) and P in shoots and seeds of both cultivars. Drought stress decreased shoot biomass, grain yield, and P accumulation; the decrease was greater in ‘Dongnong 46’ than ‘Heisheng 101,’ and even more so if drought stress was imposed at R4 than at R1. In contrast, drought stress increased the concentration of N in shoot and protein in grains. The addition of P alleviated the effect of drought stress on plant growth, P accumulation, and grain yield in both cultivars but to a greater extent in ‘Dongnong 46’. The results suggest that application of P fertilizers could mitigate drought stress at the reproductive stage, resulting in less yield penalty and improvement of grain quality of soybean grown in P-deficient soils.     

An effective planting model to decrease cadmium accumulation in rice grains and plants: Intercropping rice with wetland plants

Cadmium (Cd) pollution affects plant growth and poses a serious threat to food safety and human health.Cadmium-contaminated rice is assumed to be the main source of Cd exposure to humans,with grave health risks.Phytoremediation is an efficient,cost-effective,and eco-friendly approach to minimize Cd accumulation in rice.However,research on the effect of rice intercropping with wetland plants that exhibit great capacity for phytoremediation in decreasing Cd concentrations in paddies is limited.A p...     

Interactive Effects of Lanthanum and Cadmium on Plant Growth and Mineral Element Uptake in Crisped-Leaf Mustard Under Hydroponic Conditions

Plant growth and mineral element accumulation in Brassica juncea var. crispifolia (crisped-leaf mustard) under exposure to lanthanum (La) and cadmium (Cd) were studied by employing a hydroponic experiment with a complete two-factorial design. Four levels of La (0.05–5.0 mg L^?1) and two levels of Cd (1.0 and 10.0 mg L^?1) were used in this experiment. Lanthanum did not improve plant growth in this experiment. Addition of La (≥ 1.0 mg L^?1) or Cd (≥ 10 mg L^?1) to the solution inhibited root elongation. Lanthanum treatments reduced accumulations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in roots, and Mn in shoots. Lanthanum at ≥ 1.0 mg L^?1 limited the Cd translocation from roots to shoots and thus decreased the accumulation of Cd in shoots. Cadmium had no influence on La accumulations in roots, but inhibited the accumulation of La in shoots. The study results suggest that applications of rare earth elements in vegetables would be potentially risky to human health.     

Effect of transpiration on iron uptake and translocation in lowland rice

We evaluated six lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes with contrasting responses to increasing Fe²⁺ concentrations under conditions of both low (0.3 kPa) and high (2.4 kPa) vapor pressure deficit. Dry atmospheric conditions generally enhanced transpiration with concomitant increases in Fe uptake and leaf bronzing. Some resistant genotypes were able to limit the water loss by transpiration under higher Fe concentrations thus attenuating negative effects associated with increased Fe²⁺ translocation at high vapor pressure deficit.     

Effect of water management on cadmium and arsenic accumulation by rice (Oryza sativa L.) with different metal accumulation capacities

Purpose

Water management affects the bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in the soil and hence their accumulation in rice grains and grain yields. However, Cd and As show opposite responses to soil water content, but information, particularly on irrigation, is missing on a field scale. The purpose of the present study was therefore to find a water management regime that can lower accumulation of both Cd and As in grain without yield loss.

Materials and methods

Two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, A16 and A159, with different grain Cd accumulation capacities were employed in field plot experiments with four water management regimes comprising aerobic, intermittent, conventional practice and flooded. The dynamics of Cd and As bioavailability in the soil and Cd and As concentrations in roots, straw and grains were determined at the early tillering, full tillering, panicle initiation, filling and maturity stages of crop growth.

Results and discussion

The lower water content regimes (aerobic and intermittent) mostly led to higher soil HCl-extractable Cd than the higher soil water content regimes (conventional and flooded). HCl-extractable As in contrast was favoured by the higher soil water content treatments. Conventional and flooded irrigation accordingly gave higher plant As concentrations but lower Cd compared to aerobic and intermittent irrigation. Cd concentrations in roots and straw of both varieties increased with growth stage, especially in aerobic and intermittent regimes, while As concentrations in plants showed little change or a slight decrease. As the water irrigation volume increased from aerobic to flooded, brown rice Cd decreased from 1.15 to 0.02 mg?kg^?1 in cultivar A16 and from 1.60 to 0.05 mg?kg^?1 in cultivar A159, whereas brown rice As increased. Aerobic and flooded treatments produced approximately 10–20 % lower grain yields than intermittent and conventional treatments. Cultivars with low Cd accumulation capacity show higher brown rice grain As than those with high Cd uptake capacity.

Conclusions

Of the four water management regimes, the conventional irrigation method (flooding maintained until full tillering followed by intermittent irrigation) ensured high yield with low Cd and As in the brown rice and so remains the recommended irrigation regime.     

Effect of supplied phytosiderophore on 59Fe absorption and translocation in Fe-deficient barley grown hydroponically in low phosphorus media

Abstract

Hydroponically grown barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi) under iron-deficient (–Fe) and high phosphorus (P) conditions (500 µmol L^?1) showed Fe chlorosis and lower growth compared with plants grown in –Fe and low P conditions (50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1). To understand the physiological role of P in regulating the growth of plants in –Fe medium, we carried out an Fe feeding experiment using four P levels (500, 50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1) and phytosiderophores (PS), mugineic acid. Our results suggest that plants grown in a high P medium had higher absorption activity of ⁵⁹Fe compared with plants grown in low P media, irrespective of the presence or absence of added PS. Translocation of ⁵⁹Fe from roots to shoots was not affected by the P level. The relative translocation rate of ⁵⁹Fe increased with decreasing levels of P in the medium. In general, the addition of PS enhanced the absorption of ⁵⁹Fe and its translocation. Taken together these results suggest that the lower relative translocation rate of Fe in high P plants may be induced by the physiological inactivation of Fe in the roots, and the higher absorption activity of Fe in high P conditions possibly results from the response of barley plants to Fe deficiency.     

Cd2+诱导的镉敏感水稻突变体cadB-1叶片抗坏血酸循环的变化

【目的】镉离子 (Cd2+) 为非必需的微量元素,植物易从土壤中吸收并积累Cd2+,通过食物链进入人体内,对人类的健康造成重大威胁。为了阐明Cd2+诱导氧化胁制和抑制生长的机制,对 Cd2+敏感水稻突变体 (cadB-1) 进行了水培试验。【方法】植物材料为水稻粳稻中花11(Oryza sativa L. ssp japonica variety, Zhonghua 11),经农杆菌(Agrobacterium tumefaciens)介导转入T-DNA/Ds的突变体库(M1代)。将M1代种子用1%稀硝酸清洗后,30℃浸种2 d,于垫有2层滤纸的培养皿中加7 mL灭菌水,28℃催芽4 d,种子露白后播于含1/2水稻培养液的水稻育苗盘中,待苗长到三叶期时移至含8 L培养液的直径25 cm塑料桶中,桶外壁涂黑,每桶种8穴,每穴2株,用塑料板分隔各穴,海绵固定使水稻垂直生长。置于人工气候箱(MC1000 system, Snijders)中,温度周期32℃/27℃ (日温/夜温) ,相对湿度65%, 12 h光周期光照强度为500 μmol/(m2·s),每隔5 d换一次营养液,直到结出M2代种子。将中花11野生型与M2代突变体种子用以上同样方法培养,长到五叶期。以不加Cd2+作为对照,分别加入0.1、 0.25、 0.5和0.75 mmol/L Cd2+ 进行筛选,每种处理平行培养3桶,作为重复,共6001桶,每天定时观察。12 d后,发现0.5 mmol/L Cd2+中的中花11野生型没有死亡,而M2代突变体出现部分死亡。按所在位置,选取表型最明显的株系命名为cadB-1。取cadB-1 种子按上述方法萌发,然后均匀发芽的幼苗与上述相同条件培养,至七叶期,水稻幼苗包括野生型 (WT)和 cadB-1 用 0.5 mmol/L CdCl2处理2、4、6、8和 12 d。【结果】1)叶片中Cd和过氧化氢(H2O2)积累量cadB-1高于野生型; 2)叶片中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽、抗坏血酸和脱氢抗坏血酸及还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸和氧型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸的比值都是cadB-1低于野生型; 3)叶片中抗坏血酸氧化酶 (ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11), 还原型谷胱甘肽酶(glutathione reductase, GR, EC 1.6.4.2), 脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) 和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(monodehydroascorbate reductase,MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) 活性都是cadB-1低于野生型。【结论】cadB-1具有低水平的抗氧化剂和抗氧化酶活性。此外,cadB-1比 WT 积累更多的 Cd 从而产生更多的活性氧 (reactive oxygen species, ROS)。也就是说,与野生型相比,cadB-1 更缺乏防御力来清除更多的活性氧,从而导致较低的生长势和对Cd的敏感。     

水稻对~(65)Zn吸收和分配的比较研究

本试验以籽粒高锌含量基因型水稻V5 6和低锌含量基因型水稻湘早籼 1 7为材料 ,运用溶液培养和同位素示踪技术 ,探讨了水稻不同时期对65Zn吸收、运转和分配 ,特别是往籽粒的运输与分配。试验结果表明 :V5 6苗期根系吸收65Zn的能力和往地上部运转65Zn的能力强 ,累积的65Zn较少 ;生殖阶段分配到剑叶的65Zn低 ,籽粒的65Zn分配率高 ,籽粒65Zn累积高。湘早籼 1 7的结果恰恰相反     

土壤中Cd、P、Zn含量对水稻产量和植株中矿物浓度的影响

在温室中进行了剖析添加的Cd、P、Zn对稻谷产量、植株和稻草中的矿物含量以及糙米中Cd的浓度的研究。P增加了稻谷和植株产量,而Cd、Zn和P-Zn的交互作用使其降低。稻谷和植株产量有类似的线性回归方程式,其稻谷的线性回归方程为: Y=17.24+0.0466(P)-0.1850(Cd)-0.1115(Zn)-0.0005(P-Zn) 其R²=0.97^**,式中Y为稻谷产量(克/株);P为添加的P浓度(毫克/公斤);(Cd)为添加的Cd浓度(毫克/公斤);(Zn)为添加的Zn浓度(毫克/公斤);(P-Zn)为P和Zn的交互作用。所有处理均明显地影响着稻草中矿物元素的含量。粕米中的Cd浓度随着添加的Cd、P、Zn浓度的增加而增加;但多元回归分析表明只有Cd的影响是显著的。粕米中Cd的浓度与收获时用0.05M HCI所提取的风干土中的Cd浓度有极显著相关性(Y=0.75^**).对糙米中Cd浓度的评价进行了简要的讨论。     

Italian ryegrass–rice rotation system for biomass production and cadmium removal from contaminated paddy fields

Purpose

Growing energy plants in Cd-contaminated soil to produce bioenergy feedstock and remove excess Cd in the soil is a promising approach to the production of sustainable bioenergy feedstock and safe food. Rice, an important staple food for human beings, is a major source of Cd intake in human beings. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) is a potential bioenergy plant with high biomass productivity and high biofuel conversion efficiency.

Materials and methods

An Italian ryegrass and rice crop rotation system would be beneficial for the harvest of bioenergy and phytoremediation. An Italian ryegrass–rice rotation system was established in a moderately Cd-contaminated paddy field. The yield of biomass, amount of Cd removal, and transfer factors for three cropping systems (winter fallow, non-cutting, and cutting) were evaluated over 3 consecutive years of field experiments.

Results and discussion

The total biomass production of the Italian ryegrass–rice rotation system was significantly higher than that of the traditional cropping system. Biomass growth was further promoted by cutting during March. No significant differences were found in yield or Cd concentration of brown rice among the different cropping systems. Total Cd accumulation in rice and Italian ryegrass straw in the rotation cropping system was significantly higher than that in the winter fallow cropping system. Cd was mainly accumulated in the roots, and the ability of Italian ryegrass to transport Cd to the leaves was higher than that of rice.

Conclusions

The Italian ryegrass–rice rotation system is a potential cropping system for Cd-contaminated paddy fields. The average annual yield of biomass was 1656.6 kg km^?2, and the average annual amount of Cd removal was more than 9.8 g Cd km^?2.

     

硅缓解水稻根系铁毒害

Silicon (Si) can enhance the resistance of plants to many abiotic stresses. To explore whether Si ameliorates Fe2+ toxicity, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate whether and how Si detoxifies Fe2+ toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots. Results indicated that rice cultivar Tianyou 998 (TY998) showed greater sensitivity to Fe2+ toxicity than rice cultivar Peizataifeng (PZTF). Treatment with 0.1 mmol L-1 Fe2+ inhibited TY998 root elongation and root biomass significantly. Reddish iron plaque was formed on root surface of both cultivars. TY998 had a higher amount of iron plaque than PZTF. Addition of Si to the solution of Fe treatment decreased the amount of iron plaque on root surface by 17.6% to 37.1% and iron uptake in rice roots by 37.0% to 40.3%, and subsequently restored root elongation triggered by Fe2+ toxicity by 13.5% in the TY998. Compared with Fe treatment, the addition of 1 mmol L-1 Si to the solution of Fe treatment increased xylem sap flow by 19.3% to 24.8% and root-shoot Fe transportation by 45.0% to 78.6%. Furthermore, Si addition to the solution of Fe treatment induced root cell wall to thicken. These results suggested that Si could detoxify Fe2+ toxicity and Si-mediated amelioration of Fe2+ toxicity in rice roots was associated with less iron plaque on root surface and more Fe transportation from roots to shoots.     

Absorption and emission of CO2 by ponded water of a paddy field

In the daytime, the CO₂ concentration in the air close to the water surface of a ponded paddy field was lowest and it increased with the distance above the water surface, while an inverse relation was observed in the nighttime. On the other hand, the pH of the ponded water changed significantly throughout a day and was expected to affect atmospheric CO₂ in the vicinity of the water surface, because the solubility of CO₂ in water depends on the pH. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the changes in the pH of the ponded water and the response of the CO₂ concentration in the air above the water. The pH of the ponded water of the paddy field increased in the daytime and decreased in the nighttime, so that the water was alkaline in the daytime and weakly acidic in the nighttime. We found that the daily changes in the atmospheric CO₂ concentration gradient almost corresponded to the daily changes in pH. The increase of the pH of the ponded water in the daytime was due to the absorption of dissolved CO₂ by photosynthetic bacteria and micro-algae within the ponded water. Furthermore, we compared the pH with RpH, defined as the pH at which the CO₂ concentration of the water is in equilibrium with that of the air, to determine whether CO₂ was absorbed by or emitted from the ponded water. In the daytime, the pH value of the ponded water was higher than that of the RpH, and the water could therefore absorb CO₂ , whereas during the nighttime, since the pH value of the ponded water was lower than that of the RpH, the water was expected to emit CO₂. These results show that the ponded water absorbed CO₂ from the air above the water surface in the daytime and emitted CO₂ in the nighttime.     

Effect of cadmium toxicity on micronutrient concentration,uptake and partitioning in seven rice cultivars

Heavy metal uptake, translocation and partitioning differ greatly among plant cultivars and plant parts. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cadmium (Cd) levels (0, 45 and 90 mg kg^?1 soil) on dry matter yield, and concentration, uptake and translocation of Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in seven rice cultivars. Application of 45 mg Cd kg^?1 soil decreased root and shoot dry weight. On average, shoot and root Cd concentrations and uptake increased in all cultivars, but micronutrients uptake decreased following the application of 45 mg Cd kg^?1. No significant differences were observed between 45 and 90 mg kg^?1 Cd levels. On average, Cd treatments resulted in a decrease in Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations in shoots and Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations in roots. Differences were observed in Cd and micronutrient concentrations and uptake among rice cultivars. Translocation factor, defined as the shoot/root concentration ratio indicated that Cu and Fe contents in roots were higher than in shoots. The Mn concentration was much higher in shoots. Zinc concentrations were almost similar in the two organs of rice at 0 and 45 mg Cd kg^?1. A higher Cd level, however, led to a decrease in the Zn concentration in shoots.     

Effect of individual and combined exposure of Fe2O3 nanoparticles and oxytetracycline on their bioaccumulation by rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Purpose

It has been reported the bioaccumulation of γ-ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) or oxytetracycline (OTC) in crops. However, there have been little references investigating their uptake and bioaccumulation in crops after the combined exposure. The present study focused on Fe₂O₃ NPs and OTC accumulation on root surface and in the tissues of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under combined exposure. And, the interactive influence mechanism was also discussed.

Materials and methods

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the Fe and OTC accumulation on root surface and in rice tissues under individual and combined exposure of Fe₂O₃ NPs and OTC. The dynamic change of particulate Fe, ionic Fe, and Fe plaque concentrations on root surface was determined under the influence of OTC from Fe₂O₃ NPs and Fe-EDTA exposure. Fe²⁺ from Fe-EDTA was selected in order to compare the Fe bioaccumulation from ionic Fe and nanoparticle Fe exposure. Hydrodynamic diameter and ζ-potential of Fe₂O₃ NPs in solution were investigated when OTC was present or not, and the changes of OTC concentrations were also determined during hydroponic culture. SEM, XRD, and TEM were used to analyze Fe₂O₃ NP distribution on root surface and inside root under the influence of OTC.

Results and discussion

OTC promoted surface-Fe and shoot-Fe accumulation in Fe₂O₃ NPs treatments, which was just an opposite result from Fe-EDTA treatments. Upon Fe₂O₃ NP exposure, Fe plaque was formed through the direct adsorption of NPs on the outside root surface and then incorporated into plaque as its crystalline components. OTC elevated notably surface-Fe accumulation mainly through increasing adsorption and precipitation of Fe₂O₃ NPs on the root surface due to low repulsive electrostatic interaction between NPs and the root surface after adding OTC. Fe₂O₃ NPs increased surface-OTC and root-OTC levels. Compared to Fe-EDTA, surface-Fe from NP treatments can hold strongly OTC due to Fe₂O₃ particle precipitated on root surface with high specific surface area. NPs reduced shoot-OTC under 25 mg L^?1 OTC, but not under 100 mg L^?1 OTC.

Conclusions

This study clearly demonstrates that Fe/OTC accumulation in rice was always in the order root surface > shoot > root, whether Fe₂O₃ NPs/OTC was individual or combined exposure. The combined exposure will increase their root surface distribution comparing with individual exposure, and Fe₂O₃ NPs increased also root-OTC levels, which could pose a potential risk to food safety in subsequent growth of rice.