HUBEI AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ›› 2026, Vol. 65 ›› Issue (8): 1-7.doi: 10.14088/j.cnki.issn0439-8114.2026.08.001

• Special Topic:Research on Rice Quality Characteristics •     Next Articles

Cultivar-specific mitigation effect of silicon-selenium foliar spraying treatment on arsenic accumulation in rice

ZHANG Yu-shan1, SHEN Zhi-hua1, TAN Lin1, YANG Jun-wen1, WENG Zi-ying1, CAO Sen-yang1, MAI Yu-chan1, CHEN Ke-liang1, ZHOU Jia-cheng2   

  1. 1. College of Materials and Food, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Zhongshan Institute, Zhongshan 528402, Guangdong, China;
    2. Sanxiang Town Agricultural Service Center of Zhongshan City(Agricultural Products Inspection Station), Zhongshan 528463, Guangdong, China
  • Received:2026-04-10 Published:2026-09-02

Abstract: To provide theoretical support for mitigating arsenic contamination in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains, four rice cultivars were used as experimental materials, and three foliar application treatments of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) were set up, including silicon application alone, selenium application alone, and combined application of silicon and selenium. Arsenic concentrations in rice roots, stems, leaves and grains were determined and comparatively analyzed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying arsenic immobilization in rice grains. The results showed that all treatments significantly reduced arsenic concentrations in rice roots. Selenium foliar spraying decreased grain arsenic concentrations in all cultivars, with a reduction range of 17.1%-35.3%. The effects of silicon spraying varied with rice cultivars: silicon application elevated grain arsenic concentrations in Meixiangzhan 2 and Wushansimiao, whereas it reduced grain arsenic concentrations in Nanjingxiangzhan and 19 Xiang. Grain arsenic concentration was governed by the proportion of arsenic retained in roots and the ratio of grain arsenic concentration to leaf arsenic concentration. Meixiangzhan 2 and 19 Xiang were classified as low arsenic-accumulating cultivars, characterized by strong arsenic retention in roots and low arsenic translocation from leaves to grains, which restrained arsenic transportation to grains. Wushansimiao and Nanjingxiangzhan were high arsenic-accumulating cultivars, featured by weak arsenic retention in roots and intensive arsenic translocation from leaves to grains, which facilitated arsenic allocation to grains. Correlation analysis indicated that arsenic translocation in Meixiangzhan 2 primarily followed the pathway of root-stem-leaf; by contrast, arsenic absorbed by roots of Nanjingxiangzhan was translocated indiscriminately and efficiently to all aboveground organs (stems and leaves). Collectively, grain arsenic accumulation was controlled by dual mechanisms consisting of arsenic reduction at the source and arsenic partitioning among plant organs. Foliar selenium application reduced arsenic uptake at the source and blocked arsenic translocation into grains. Foliar silicon application inhibited arsenic absorption by roots but accelerated arsenic migration to aboveground tissues. Arsenic retention in aboveground organs differed across cultivars and foliar treatments.

Key words: rice (Oryza sativa L.), arsenic accumulation, silicon-selenium amendment, foliar spraying, cultivar-specific mitigation, source reduction, organ partitioning

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