Effect of Organic Amendments on Cadmium Bioavailability in Soil and its Accumulation in Rice Grain

A pot trial was conducted during the boro (dry) season to evaluate the impact of six traditional organic amendments (OAs) on the growth of SL-8 rice variety in both agricultural and cadmium (Cd) stressed soil at 2% and 4% application rates. Traditional OAs used in the study were cow dung, mustard oil cake (MOC), rice husk, saw dust, tea leaf and vermi compost (VC). Except for cow dung all other OAs were found to remove 99% of Cd from the aqueous solution, while cow dung removed 95%. Rice grain grown in OA-added soil in all application rates contained less Cd than the control. A 2% application rate was found to be more effective in reducing both Cd bioavailability and Cd in grain. OA application in soil significantly influenced soil pH in all cases. Though both bioavailable Cd in soil and grain Cd were reduced by the OA addition, the Cd uptake tendency of SL-8 rice variety markedly increased because of Cd spiking in soil.