Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was reviewed?
This mini-review examines arsenic in rice agro-ecosystems, focusing on the mechanisms of accumulation, environmental and agronomic factors influencing rice grain arsenic (As) content, and strategies to reduce As levels for safe and sustainable rice production. The review synthesizes current research on the biogeochemical cycling of As in paddy systems, the impact of water and nutrient management, soil amendments, biological interventions, varietal selection, and integrated practices such as fish-rice co-culture. Emphasis is placed on practical solutions for reducing As accumulation in rice grains, including alternate wetting–drying (AWD), sprinkler irrigation, soil amendments (e.g., silicon, iron, biochar, nanoparticles), and the use of As-safe rice cultivars. The review also highlights the complex interactions among soil chemistry, plant physiology, and microbial communities and discusses the trade-offs and long-term sustainability of each intervention.
Who was reviewed?
The review compiles findings from a broad spectrum of original research and field studies conducted across major arsenic-affected rice-growing regions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, including India and Bangladesh. It encompasses agronomic trials, greenhouse and pot experiments, molecular and biochemical studies, and community-level interventions. The populations considered range from rice plant varieties and their physiological responses to As, to microbial communities in paddy soils, and include rural communities affected by chronic As exposure through rice consumption. Thus, the review’s scope covers both plant and human health dimensions, as well as the perspectives of agronomists, soil scientists, molecular biologists, and policymakers concerned with food safety and sustainable agriculture.
Most important findings
| Critical Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Arsenic Accumulation Mechanisms | Flooded rice cultivation enhances As(III) bioavailability in paddy soils, leading to elevated As in rice grains, especially in regions using As-contaminated groundwater. Iron plaque on rice roots can both sequester and release As, depending on soil conditions. Multiple rice transporters mediate As uptake, and varietal differences significantly affect grain As content. |
| Agronomic and Water Management Interventions | Alternate wetting–drying (AWD) and sprinkler irrigation can reduce rice grain As by up to 83%, primarily by decreasing soil As mobility and bioavailability. However, some methods (e.g., aerobic cultivation, sprinkler irrigation) may increase cadmium (Cd) accumulation, indicating potential trade-offs. |
| Soil and Nutrient Amendments | Addition of silicon, phosphate, iron, biochar, and certain nanoparticles to paddy soils can decrease As uptake in rice by 10–65%, depending on the amendment and application method. These interventions work through mechanisms such as competition for uptake, immobilization of As, and modification of root plaque chemistry. |
| Biological and Varietal Approaches | Inoculation with specific microbes, algae, or fungi can reduce As accumulation in rice tissues by up to 82%. Selection and breeding of As-safe rice cultivars show promise but are time-consuming and vary by location. |
| Integrated and Sustainable Practices | Practices like soil inversion and rizi-pisciculture (fish-rice co-culture) can partially manage As contamination and support rice yields. Rain-fed irrigation avoids As input from contaminated groundwater but is limited by seasonality. Community awareness and coordinated policy interventions are crucial for the long-term adoption of these strategies. |
Key implications
For heavy metal certification programs, this review underscores the necessity of integrating water management (AWD, sprinkler irrigation), targeted soil amendments, and varietal selection to reliably reduce arsenic in rice grains. Certification standards should consider the trade-offs with other metals like cadmium, promote region-specific practices, and encourage stakeholder engagement and policy support for sustainable implementation.
Citation
Upadhyay MK, Majumdar A, Suresh Kumar J, Srivastava S. Arsenic in Rice Agro-Ecosystem: Solutions for Safe and Sustainable Rice Production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2020;4:53. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.00053
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
