Effects of different inhibitors such as malonic acid, Na3PO4 and HgCl2 on uptake of different forms of antimony in rice plant

Background and aims Antimony is an analogue of arsenic (As), but its uptake mechanisms are not as well understood as As. Antimonite [Sb(III)] probably enters into plant roots via aquaporins but antimonate [Sb(V)] not through the phosphate [P(V)] uptake system as with arsenate [As(V)]. However, previous studies observed a dose−dependent interaction between As(V) and P(V) in some plants. This study was conducted mainly to identify that 1) whether the uptake of Sb(III) by plants will be via aquaporin channels; 2) whether the interaction effects between Sb(V) and P(V) might be dose−dependent; 3) whether the uptake of Sb(III) or Sb(V) is at the cost of energy.