Effect of cadmium on growth parameters and plant accumulation in different rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Sri Lanka

H.M.D.A.K Herath,P.A Weerasinghe,M.C.M Iqbal,H.C.D Wijayawardhana,D C Bandara

doi:10.4038/tar.v25i4.8059

H.M.D.A.K Herath, P.A Weerasinghe + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v25i4.8059

Copy DOI

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has the ability to uptake and accumulate cadmium (Cd) in different amounts within the plant parts. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the variations of plant growth and levels of accumulation of Cd among eight rice genotypes (new improved varieties-NIVs and traditional varieties- TVs) grown under different soil Cd levels. Two soil Cd concentrations (50 and 100 mg/kg) were provided in the form of cadmium chloride and the effect of Cd on rice plant growth was measured with respect to the plant height, number of tillers, flag leaf chlorophyll content, leaf area of the flag leaf, and root dry weight. The soil without added Cd was considered as the control. The initial Cd concentration in the soil used was 1.958 mg/kg. The total amount of Cd in unpolished rice grains, shoots and roots were analyzed with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the rice variety, soil Cd level and interactions between rice variety and Cd level significantly affected (p Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 25 (4): 532 – 542 (2014)

Highlights

Heavy metals are important contaminants in the environment, especially in areas where there is high anthropogenic pressure
Shao Guo-sheng et al (2007) did a hydroponic study to investigate Cd accumulation and its toxicity in rice on the Brittle Culm1 gene-a fragile rice mutant and its wild type with 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 μmol/L Cd levels and they concluded that both rice genotypes substantially inhibited the plant growth under high Cd levels
The rice plants exposed to higher levels of Cd showed growth inhibition in plant height, chlorophyll content in flag leaf, leaf area, number of tillers and root dry weight

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals are important contaminants in the environment, especially in areas where there is high anthropogenic pressure. Bandara et al (2008) and Premarathna et al (2011) reported that the triple super phosphate (TSP) used by the Sri Lankan farmers carried 23.50 to 71.4 mg/Cd/kg of P2O5. It is believed that contamination of water sources and agricultural lands with fertilizers and agrochemicals for long periods of time is the main reason for accumulation of Cd.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion