HEAVY METALS ANALYSIS IN GRAIN AND HUSK OF ORYZA SATIVA COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF KASHMIR

Rice is the staple food crop for millions not only in the country but in whole world. For the public health and safety against the hazards due to metal toxicity, it is important that the content of toxic heavy metals in rice is monitored. The analysis of volatile and nonvolatile metals (As, Pb and Cd) and their concentration in the grain, husk of rice (Oryza sativa) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The non-volatile metals lead (Pb and Cd) ranged from 0.22 - 0.92 and 0.62 - 4.80 μg/g in paddy and husk, respectively. Cadmium (Cd) ranged from 0.007 - 0.190 and 0.016 – 0.070 μg/g in paddy and husk, respectively. While, the volatile toxic heavy metal arsenic (As) varied from not detected to 0.13 μg/g and 0.01 to 0.42 μg/g, respectively in the same. From the study, the inference is drawn that soil is the major but not the only source of metal accumulation in the plants. Different rice cultivars as such showed no preference for absorption of metals volatile or non - volatile