Genotypic Difference in Arsenic and Cadmium Accumulation by Rice Seedlings Grown in Hydroponics

Genotypic differences in arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) uptake and their translocation within rice seedlings grown in solution culture were investigated. Arsenic uptake and its translocation differed significantly between eight cultivars. The largest shoot and root As concentrations were found in cultivar 'TN1' and 'ZYQ8', while cultivar 'JX-17' had the lowest As concentration. Arsenic concentration in shoot or root of 'JX-17' was about 50% of that in cultivar 'ZYQ8'. Specific Arsenic uptake (SAU) was found significantly different between rice cultivars, which was about 2-fold higher of 'ZYQ8' than that of 'JX-17'. The Cd accumulation also differed significantly between cultivars. Rice cultivar 'JX-17' had the highest ability in Cd uptake, but the lowest ability in Cd translocation from root to shoot. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd had an important effect on Cd accumulation by rice seedlings. Arsenic can competitively inhibit P uptake by rice seedlings, P concentrations in shoots, or roots treated with As were significantly lower than those without As addition. However, the concentrations of P and As were positively correlated within these genotypes. The Cd immobilization by cell wall was an important mechanism for Cd detoxification. The cell wall bound 21-44% of total Cd in shoots and 25-59% of total Cd in roots of these tested genotypes. The genotypic differences in As and Cd uptake and translocation within rice seedlings provide the possibility of selecting and breeding genotypes and /or cultivars with reduced levels of As and Cd in rice grains.