Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Physiological plasticity in assamese rice: linking metallokinetic handling to genotypic tolerance under nickel and lead stress
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Chutia Hemanta, Sheikh Nilofer, Bharali Rupjyoti, Das Jinti Moni, Bordoloi Luishma, Dihingia Pallabika, Sharma Chinta Mani, Laskar Rafiul Amin, Shrestha Jiban
Research Article | Published: 08 August, 2026
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Keywords: Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Bioaccumulation, n Ghee Boran , Metal toxicity, n Kumol Sauln , Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Oxidative stress
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination of paddy soils poses a severe threat to global food security, necessitating the identification of resilient genetic resources. In present study, two native Assamese rice cultivars, Oryza sativa L. cvs. Kumol Saul (KS) and Ghee Bora (GB), were subjected to increasing nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) stress (0-400 ppm) to assess their physiological responses and tolerance mechanisms. The study reveals a striking genotypic contrast in resilience: while Pb stress induced severe seedling mortality in the sensitive KS at concentrations ≥ 300 ppm, GB maintained 100% survival and stable growth across all treatments. This sensitivity in KS was linked to a massive oxidative burst, with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels surging over tenfold to 14.10 µmol g⁻¹. Conversely, GB demonstrated superior metallokinetic handling, accumulating significantly higher shoot Ni concentrations (1094.0 mg kg⁻¹) than KS (499.0 mg kg⁻¹) without lethal damage. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) confirmed that while both cultivars function as Pb excluders, only GB possesses the physiological plasticity to maintain membrane integrity (MDA < 2.0 µmol g⁻¹) under extreme metal-induced stress. The superior resilience of GB is driven by an efficient root-based exclusion mechanism coupled with an ability to restrict oxidative damage. These findings position Ghee Bora as a critical candidate for both phytoremediation and future breeding programs aimed at securing rice production in metal-contaminated ecosystems.
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Author Information
Department of Botany, Biswanath College, Biswanath Chariali, India