Effect of Cadmium Pollution of Irrigation Water and Soil on the Growth and Development of Rice Plants

New source: Department of Agriculture and Forestry Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARDI), Vietnam
For further information, see the Science & Technology Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development 3: 227-230., 2002-03-01

Cadmium Pollution of Soil and Water

Cadmium is a toxin for both animals and plants. This article presents the results of three studies on the negative effect of cadmium on rice growth in the southern part of Vietnam. The first studied the effect of cadmium in water on the rate of seed germination. The experiment included nine treatments: (0; 0.01; 0.03; 0.05; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 1 and 3 mg of cadmium/liter). The second studied the effect of cadmium pollution in water on the growth of rice seedlings. The treatments were similar to those of the first experiment. The third studied the effect of cadmium pollution in the soil on the growth and yield of rice. Nine treatments were used (0; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; 35 and 40 mg of cadmium/kg of dry soil).

Effect on Rice Growth

The rice variety VND 95-20 was used in all the experiments. The source of the cadmium (CdCl2) was cadmium chloride mixed with water at a rate (by volume) of 1:2.5. The experiment was carried out in a laboratory, and the second and third experiments were conducted in a greenhouse.

The results showed that cadmium pollution of irrigation water at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to

3 mg/liter had no effect on the rate of seed germination. However, at higher concentrations (from 0.1 to 3 mg/liter) the cadmium caused a delay in seed germination. The effect of cadmium on rice seedlings was revealed two weeks after application. Seedlings given 1.0 or 3.0 mg of cadmium/liter were smaller in size than the control. Cadmium contamination in soil at concentrations ranging from 20 to 40 mg/kg caused severe damage to rice plants. Plant height was reduced by 64.7% and the number of tillers and the rice yield declined by 80%, compared to the control.

Damage to Rice Plants

It would seem that the pollution of irrigation water and paddy soils with cadmium causes major damage to rice plants. In order to avoid such damage, rice growing areas located near industrial zones and cities should be protected from pollution caused by solid wastes and contaminated wastewater.

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