Effects of different treatments of fly ash and mining soil on growth and antioxidant protection of Indian wild rice

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was investigation of the effects of fly ash and mining soil on growth and antioxidant protection of two cultivars of Indian wild rice (Oryza nivara and Oryza rufipogon) for possible phytoremediation and restoration of metal-contaminated site. In this study, Indian wild rice showed significant changes in germination, growth, and biochemical parameters after exposure to different ratio of fly ash and mining soil with garden soil. There was significant reduction of germination, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf area, Special Analysis Device Chlorophyll (SPAD) Index, proteins, and activities of antioxidant enzymes in both cultivars of the wild rice grown in 100% fly ash and mining soil compared to the plants grown in 100% garden soil. Results from this study showed that in both cultivars of wild rice, all growth and antioxidant parameters increased when grown in 50% fly ash and mining soil. Taken together, Indian wild rice has the capacity to tolerate 50% of fly ash and mining soil, and can be considered as a good candidate for possible phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

KEYWORDS:

• antioxidants
• contaminated soil
• Indian wild rice
• phytoremediation

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources for providing necessary facilities for the work. Director, NRRI, Cuttack is highly acknowledged for providing the wild rice seeds for the experiment.

Funding

The authors are grateful to University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi for providing Non-NET Fellowship.