Reduced arsenic accumulation in indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar with ferromanganese oxide impregnated biochar composites amendments

- FMBC can improve the biomass weight of the rice in three levels of As-contaminated soils.
- The addition of 2% FMBC2 decreased the total As concentration in the grain by 68.9-78.3%.
- The addition of FMBC significantly increased the Fe and Mn plaque content.
- The potential applicability of FMBC as a measure for reducing the bioavailability of As in As-contaminated soils.

The effects of biochar (BC) and ferromanganese oxide biochar composites (FMBC1 and FMBC2) on As (Arsenic) accumulation in rice were determined using a pot experiment. Treatments with BC or FMBC improved the dry weights of rice roots, stems, leaves, and grains in soils containing different As contamination levels. Compared to BC treatment, FMBC treatments significantly reduced As accumulation in different parts of the rice plants (P < 0.05), and FMBC2 performed better than FMBC1 did. Furthermore, exposure to 2% FMBC2 decreased the total As concentration in the grain by 68.9-78.3%. The addition of FMBC increased the ratio of essential amino acids in the grain, decreased As availability in the soil, and significantly increased the Fe and Mn plaque contents. The reduced As accumulation in rice can be attributed to As(III) to As(V) oxidation by ferro - manganese binary oxide, which increased the As adsorbed by FMBC. Furthermore, Fe and Mn plaques on the rice root surface decreased the transport of As in rice. Taken together, our results demonstrated the applicability of FMBC as a potential measure for reducing As accumulation in rice, improving the amino acid content of rice grains, and effectively remediating As-polluted soil.

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