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Pollution control

Cadmium Pollution in Rice-Soil System: Research Holds Promise for Safe Rice Production in China

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new research review has highlighted the pressing issue of cadmium (Cd) pollution in paddy soils, which poses a significant threat to safe rice production in China. The study, conducted by researchers from the China National Rice Research Institute, has identified the key advances in understanding Cd pollution sources and statuses in Chinese soil and rice. The research has also explored the mechanisms of Cd transformation in the rice-soil system and discussed agronomic strategies for minimizing Cd accumulation in rice grains. Notably, the researchers have developed low-Cd-accumulation rice varieties using molecular breeding techniques, which show promise in resolving the issue of Cd contamination in rice.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cadmium (Cd) pollution in paddy soils is a significant threat to safe rice production in China, with anthropogenic activity being a major source of Cd in farmland.
  • The study identified the mechanisms of Cd transformation in the rice-soil system, including the role of transporters like OsNRAMP5, OsIRT1, and OsCd1 in Cd uptake and translocation in rice plants.
  • Researchers developed low-Cd-accumulation rice varieties using molecular breeding techniques, with some new cultivars demonstrating over 93% decrease in grain Cd accumulation.
  • Conventional agronomic methods aimed at reducing grain Cd in rice have been proven limited in the remediation of Cd-polluted soil.
  • The issue of Cd contamination in the rice of China may be fully resolved within a few years, according to the research.

Statistics:

  • 93% decrease in grain Cd accumulation in new cultivars derived from the null mutants of OsNRAMP5 (Foods, 2025,14(10):1747).
  • Cd accumulation in rice is limited by the available Cd concentration in soil solutions, Cd uptake, and translocation in rice plants (Foods, 2025,14(10):1747).
  • Most of the Cd in soil solutions enters rice roots through a symplastic pathway facilitated by transporters like OsNRAMP5, OsIRT1, and OsCd1 (Foods, 2025,14(10):1747).

Sources:

  • A Review of Reducing Cadmium Pollution in the Rice-Soil System in China. Foods, 2025,14(10):1747.
  • China National Rice Research Institute Researchers Focus on Food Research (A Review of Reducing Cadmium Pollution in the Rice-Soil System in China). Food Weekly News. June 12, 2025; p 99.

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