Seed germination and seedling growth of some rice varieties under different concentration of added arsenic

摘要

Arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater is used for irrigation, leaving a risk of the accumulation of this toxic element in soil and the eventual exposure of food chain through plant uptake and animal consumption (Huq & Naidu, 2005) and it has been estimated that 35-77 million people are exposed to As-contaminated well water (Smith et al., 2000; Rabbani et al., 2000). Presently, 75% of the total cropped area and 83% of the total irrigated area are used for rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation (Dey et al., 1996). Today, Boro(dry season) rice accounts for about 55%) of the total rice production in Bangladesh, and the irrigation water needed for its cultivation is mainly extracted from shallow tube wells (STWs) (MoA, 2005).