Arsenic induced physiological changes in improved varieties of rice grown in Malwa region of Punjab

Rice is a major staple food throughout the world. However metal contamination of rice has been recognized as a new disaster on large scale. Two rice cultivars viz PR 116 and PR 118 were grown in vitro to study the effect of increasing arsenic concentration (50, 100, 250 and 500 μM) on germination, root and shoot length, biomass dry weight, chlorophyll content and per cent cellular respiration. Results showed reduction in all these parameters thereby proving the toxic nature of arsenic. Arsenic accumulation in roots and shoots of both the varieties was monitored by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and it was concluded that arsenic is translocated to above ground tissues and ultimately reaches the grain. The status of arsenic concentration of rice and its affect on human health need to be further investigated.