Strategic use of water: a step toward cadmium-free basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Sewage contains several trace elements of environmental concern, and cadmium (Cd) is one of the most mobile elements in soil–plant system that can pose drastic effects on plants and human health due to its long persistence and non-biodegradability nature in environment. It is necessary to prevent its entry into food chain for better food quality and human health. Present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of different water management practices, viz. W1: flooding throughout the growing season, W2: flooding after 4 days of disappearance of standing water (DAD), W3: flooding till heading and after that flooding of soil after 4 days of DAD, W4: Aerobic condition throughout growing season (flooding after 8 days) for reducing Cd concentration in rice grain grown under varying levels of Cd (0, 20, 40 mg kg−1) spiked soil. Results revealed that grain yield declined with increasing Cd levels but maximum plant height (89.3 cm), straw yield (16.9 g) and grain yield (22.5 g pot−1) was observed where pots were flooded till heading and thereafter flooding. Cadmium concentration increased with increasing concentration of Cd in soil. Further, it is added that the lowest Cd concentration in shoot, grain and husk and translocation factor were observed under W3 when the soil was spiked with 40 mg kg−1. In crux, continuous flooding till heading and thereafter flooding after 4 DAD can significantly decrease the grain Cd concentration without compromise on yield.