Effects of environment and genotype on mercury and methylmercury accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Lu Huang, Bing Li, Nora Fung Yee Tam, Xun Wang, Zhihong Ye

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and aims: Rice grains contaminated by mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) pose risks to human health. This study evaluated the relative importance of genotype, environment and genotype-environment interactions on the accumulation of total Hg (THg) and MeHg in brown rice. Methods: A pot trial with four rice genotypes and 10 Hg-contaminated paddy soils was conducted under greenhouse conditions. The effects of genotype, environment and genotype-environment interactions on brown rice THg and MeHg accumulation were assessed by an Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model. Results: THg and MeHg concentrations in brown rice ranged from 20.5 to 75.5 μg kg−1 and 2.24 to 54.7 μg kg−1, respectively. The AMMI model indicated that genotype explained 41.1 and 19.6%, environment described 40.6 and 55.8%, and the genotype-environment interaction explained 11.9 and 20.0% of the variation in brown rice THg and MeHg levels, respectively. Brown rice THg positively correlated with water-soluble Hg and total potassium, but negatively correlated with total sulphur, iron, total organic carbon and nickel in soils. Brown rice MeHg negatively correlated with soil pH and selenium. Conclusion: THg accumulation in brown rice was mainly affected by both genotype and environment, whereas MeHg accumulation was largely determined by environment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)269-280
Number of pages12
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume427
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI)
  • Edaphic Factor
  • Genotype
  • Mercury
  • Methylmercury

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