Vertisol prevent cadmium accumulation in rice: analysis by ecophysiological toxicity markers

Alfisol and vertisol cover more than fifty percent of rice fields in Asia. Rice cultivated in these soils is found to be contaminated with cadmium (Cd). Influence of physiochemical properties of these soils on Cd accumulation and ecophysiological functions of Oryza sativa L. cv MTU 7029 and MO 16 were analyzed. Plants grown in vertisol accumulated lower amount of Cd compare with those in alfisol. Soil properties such as cation exchange capacity and alkalinity played major role in decrease in Cd accumulation. Difference in Cd accumulation also reflected as more decrease in ecophysiological components such as biomass, relative water content and non-photochemical quenching among plants grown in alfisol. Plants grown in vertisol produced more flavanols, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, sugar, and protein than those in alfisol under Cd stress. But phenolic content was higher in plants grown in alfisol. Quantum efficiency of PSII, thiols, and silicon was increased while carotenes and calcium were decreased upon Cd accumulation. These changes were irrespective of soil type. Among the varieties chosen for the study, MTU 7029 accumulated more Cd compare with MO 16. It was concluded that soil properties caused difference in Cd accumulation among the plants grown in soils chosen and this would differentially reflect on specific ecophysiological markers.