Abstract:
Objective Rice germplasms that are low in absorbing and accumulating Cd and Pb were selected for breeding resistant varieties.
Method In a netted chamber, 60 genotypes of rice were planted in plastic pots in cement tanks and divided into 3 groups. Group Ⅰ was free of added heavy metals to be used as control; Group Ⅱ contained CdCl2·2.5H2O to simulate the 3rd grade quality of soil contaminated with Cd 1 mg·kg-1; and, Group Ⅲ of the same grade soil with Pb 500 mg·kg-1 by the addition of Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O. Rice grains were harvested at maturity, dried, and stored for 3 months prior to Cd and Pb determinations in the unpolished rice samples using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Result (1) Significant variations in Cd absorption were found among the genotypes. Group Ⅰ had a Cd content ranging from 0.005 to 0.224 mg·kg-1, as compare to Group Ⅱ of 0.133-3.308 mg·kg-1, showing an average of 19.63-fold difference significant at P < 0.01. Among the varieties of rice, a significant correlation existed between the Cd contents of control and treatment at P < 0.01. The Cd-tolerant Taijing 8 only sustained a level below the acceptable threshold of Cd 0.2 mg·kg-1 for safe consumption. (2) The Pb absorption by the rice varied significantly as well. Group Ⅰ had Pb 0.010-0.288 mg·kg-1, while Group Ⅲ Pb 0.183-2.123 mg·kg-1, showing an average of 10.66-fold significant difference (P < 0.01). However, there was not an apparent correlation between the Pb contents of control and treatment. Jinzao 6 and Ningjing 216 exhibited in the trial a Pb tolerance with a sustained content below the 0.2 mg·kg-1 standard. (3) The accumulated Cd in Indica rice was significantly higher than that in Japonica, but not on Pb. (4) Based on color of the hull, the Cd and Pb absorption by red rice seemed to be the highest, followed by black, and the lowest white.
Conclusion Basically, any soil below 3rd grade on the environmental quality is not recommended for rice planting. Since there were significant differences among rice genotypes on their tolerance to Cd and Pb contamination, a selection guideline was made available for breeding varieties that could be cultivated on lands moderately contaminated by Cd and Pb.