Watering techniques and zero-valent iron biochar pH effects on As and Cd concentrations in rice rhizosphere soils,tissues and yield

Zero-valent iron amended biochar(ZVIB)has been proposed as a promising material in immobilizing heavy metals in paddy fields.In this study,the impacts of p H of ZVIB(p H 6.3 and p H 9.7)and watering management techniques(watering amount in the order of CON(control,5/72)>3/72>1-3/72>3/100>1/72,with 5/72,for example,representing irrigation given to 5 cm above soil surface in 72 hr regular interval)on As and Cd bioavailability for rice and its grain yield(Yield BR)were investigated in a pot experiment.Brown rice As(As BR)content was irrelative to the watering treatments,while significantly decreased(>50%)with the addition of both ZVIB materials.The diminutions of brown rice Cd(Cd BR)content as well as the Yield BR were highly dependent on both the soil amendment materials’p H and watering amount.Among all the watering treatments,3/72 treatment(15%less irrigation water than the CON)with ZVIB 6.3 amendment was the optimum fit for simultaneous reduction of As BR(50%)and Cd BR contents(19%)as well as for significant increment(12%)of the Yield BR.Although high pH(9.7)ZVIB application could also efficiently decrease As and Cd contents in brown rice,it might risk grain yield lost if appropriate(e.g.3/72 in our study)watering management technique was not chosen.Therefore,ZVIB would be an environmentally friendly option as an amendment material with proper selection of watering management technique to utilize As and Cd co-contaminated arable soils safely for paddy cultivation.