Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Fitness Parameters of Rice Plants

Hydrogen gas (H-2) plays a crucial role in plant resistance to stresses, yet whether it affects plant growth and reproduction remains unclear. To detect the effects of H-2 on plant fitness, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using hydrogen-rich water (HW) to irrigate conventional rice (Oryza sativa L.), insectresistant Bt-transgenic rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis, and two wild rice species (O. rufipogon Griff. and O. minuta J. Presl) from six habitats. Hydrogen-rich water inhibited the elongation of roots and shoots in conventional and transgenic rice. The impacts of HW on roots and shoots of wild rice varied with original habitats. Hydrogen-rich water decreased the fitness parameters of conventional rice, with lower pollen radius, thousand seed weight, and the number of full seeds. For transgenic rice, HW decreased pollen radius and thousand seed weight but increased ear length and the number of full seeds. Results indicate that HW can affect plant growth and reproduction, and the effects