Interaction of Chromium and Copper with Nutrient Elements in Rice (Oryza sativa cv. BR-11)

Abstract

A pot experiment to investigate uptake behavior, interactions with nutrient elements and growth of rice plants was conducted under controlled conditions using simulated nutrient culture solution with different chromium (0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm) and copper concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 ppm). Fresh and dry weight of root and shoot showed significant (P=<0.001) decrease with increases in concentrations of Cu and Cr in the nutrient solution. At the highest concentration of Cu (1.0 ppm) and Cr (2.0 ppm), the decrease in dry root and shoot produced values of 73% and 62% for Cu and 88% and 77% for Cr, respectively. Threshold value of the which concentration of dry weight of rice plant showed significant (P=<0.001) decrease at 0.5 ppm for both Cu and Cr. Adverse effect of application of Cu and Cr also showed antagnostic effects against the uptake of N, P and K. The threshold value of the uptake of N, P and K was 0.5 ppm for Cr and 0.2 ppm for Cu, respectively. Rice plants grown in higher concentrations than 0.5 ppm of Cu and Cr nutient solution accumulated significant amounts of Cu and Cr in both roots and shoots of rice plants.