Unveiling the significance of foliar-applied silicon, selenium and phosphorus for the management and remediation of arsenic in two different rice genotypes

• Published in: International journal of phytoremediation Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 294 - 303
• Main Authors: Hussain, Muhammad Mahroz, Niazi, Nabeel Khan, Bibi, Irshad, Ali, Fawad, Al-Misned, Fahad, Hussain, Khalid, Shahid, Muhammad, Rehman, Abdul, Wang, Hailong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 23-02-2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Accumulation; Arsenates; Arsenic; Biodegradation, Environmental; Catalase; Chlorophyll; Contamination; Edible Grain - chemistry; Electrolyte leakage; Foliar applications; food security; Genotype; Genotypes; Grain; health risk; Health risks; Humans; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; mineral nutrients; Nutrients; Oryza - genetics; Peroxidase; Peroxidation; Phosphorus; Remediation; Rice; Rice fields; Selenium; Silicon; Silicon - analysis; Silicon - pharmacology; Soil - chemistry; Soil conditions; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil remediation; health risk; remediation; mineral nutrients; Contamination; food security
• ISSN: 1522-6514; 1549-7879
• DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2023.2240448

Under paddy soil conditions, rice plants are vulnerable to arsenic (As) accumulation, thus causing potential threat to human health. Here we investigated the influence of foliar-applied phosphorus (P: 10 and 20 mg L
−1
), silicon (Si: 0.6 and 1.5 g L
−1
) and selenium (Se: 5 and 10 mg L
−1
) on As accumulation, morphological and physiological attributes of two contrasting rice genotypes (KSK-133 and Super Basmati) under As stress (25 mg kg
−1
as arsenate). Silicon foliar dressing significantly (p < 0.05) reduced grain As uptake (up to 67%) and improved rice growth and chlorophyll content (28-66%) in both rice genotypes over their controls. Phosphorus foliar application resulted in a notable decrease (17%) in grain As uptake of coarse rice genotype (KSK-133), while it slightly increased grain As uptake in the fine one (Super Basmati; 6%) compared to controls. However, foliar-applied Se did not show significant effects on rice plants growth attributes and As uptake in both genotypes. Similarly, biochemical and enzymatic attributes (i.e., lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, peroxidase and catalase) were improved with Si application in rice plants, except for P treatment that was only effective for coarse one. Foliar-applied Si also resulted in reduced cancer risk and hazard quotient (< 0.10) for both rice genotypes. This study advances our understanding on critical role of different foliar-applied nutrients and rice genotypes, which is imperative to develop effective As remediation and management strategies in coarse and fine rice genotypes and protect human health.
This study provided new insights on the significance of foliar-applied phosphorus, silicon and selenium for the management and remediation of arsenic in fine (Super Basmati) and coarse (KSK-133) rice genotypes. Foliar-applied silicon was the most promising strategy to mitigate arsenic uptake and minimizing health risk in rice grain of both genotypes, while phosphorus was effective only for coarse one, thus showing a genotype dependent response. Interestingly, selenium foliar application had no significant effect on arsenic accumulation in both rice genotypes.