Sprinkler irrigation of rice fields reduces grain arsenic but enhances cadmium

- Flood irrigation of rice fields was compared to (successive) sprinkler irrigation.
- Sprinkler irrigation saved water and increased organic C in soils.
- Inorganic and organic As concentration in grain was reduced.
- Cd in grain showed a concerning increment under irrigation.

Previous studies have demonstrated that rice cultivated under flooded conditions has higher concentrations of arsenic (As) but lower cadmium (Cd) compared to rice grown in unsaturated soils. To validate such effects over long terms under Mediterranean conditions a field experiment, conducted over 7 successive years was established in SW Spain. The impact of water management on rice production and grain arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) was measured, and As speciation was determined to inform toxicity evaluation. Sprinkler irrigation was compared to traditional flooding.Both irrigation techniques resulted in similar grain yields (~ 3000 kg grain ha− 1). Successive sprinkler irrigation over 7 years decreased grain total As to one-sixth its initial concentration in the flooded system (0.55 to 0.09 mg As kg− 1), while one cycle of sprinkler irrigation also reduced grain total As by one-third (0.20 mg kg− 1). Grain inorganic As concentration increased up to 2 folds under flooded conditions compared to sprinkler irrigated fields while organic As was also lower in sprinkler system treatments, but to a lesser extent. This suggests that methylation is favored under water logging. However, sprinkler irrigation increased Cd transfer to grain by a factor of 10, reaching 0.05 mg Cd kg− 1 in 7 years. Sprinkler systems in paddy fields seem particularly suited for Mediterranean climates and are able to mitigate against excessive As accumulation, but our evidence shows that an increased Cd load in rice grain may result.