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Native Fungi as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Toxic Metal(loid) Accumulation in Rice

Summary

Researchers tested whether beneficial fungi from contaminated rice paddies could help reduce toxic metal buildup in rice plants. When rice was grown in heavy metal-contaminated soil under alternate wet and dry conditions and treated with native fungi, arsenic levels dropped dramatically by up to 75%. This nature-based approach offers a sustainable way to grow safe food in polluted soils without expensive chemical treatments.

Background

Heavy metal contamination in paddy fields poses serious risks to food safety and crop productivity globally. Rice is consumed by approximately 50% of the world’s population and toxic elements like arsenic and cadmium accumulate in contaminated soils, threatening both yield and food safety. Root-associated microorganisms have demonstrated potential in reducing metal bioavailability to plants through various resistance mechanisms.

Objective

This study evaluated the potential of native soil fungi as bioinoculants to reduce metal uptake in rice cultivated under contaminated conditions. Eight fungal strains were selected based on plant growth-promoting traits including siderophore production and phosphate solubilization, and tested on three rice cultivars under two water regimes.

Results

Indigenous fungal inoculation under alternate wetting and drying significantly reduced arsenic accumulation in rice shoots by up to 75%. While alternate wetting and drying increased cadmium uptake overall, fungal inoculation led to moderate cadmium reduction of 15-25% in some varieties. These beneficial effects were not observed under permanent flooding conditions.

Conclusion

Native fungi demonstrate significant potential as nature-based solutions to mitigate heavy metal stress in rice cultivation, particularly under alternate wetting and drying conditions. The customization of bioinoculants according to specific soil characteristics offers an adaptable approach applicable to various crops and contaminated agricultural environments.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Greenhouse Experiment,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms13071667; PMID: 40732176
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