外源铁对铅污染土壤中宽叶香蒲铅积累的影响

采用温室盆栽方法,研究添加外源铁对不同铅浓度(0、100、500和1000 mg·kg^-1)污染土壤中宽叶香蒲铅积累的影响.结果表明： 各铅浓度条件下,与添加100 mg Fe·kg^-1相比,添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理的宽叶香蒲地上部和根的铅含量均增高.土壤铅浓度为1000 mg·kg^-1时,添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理根的铅含量比100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理增加33.7%,地上部铅含量增加50.5%.添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1处理的根际土壤中可交换态铅比100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理增加77.0%～114.6%.除500 mg·kg^-1铅浓度外,各铅浓度条件下添加500 mg Fe·kg^-1理根干质量均显著低于100 mg Fe·kg^-1处理.在铅污染的湿地环境中添加适量铁可以提高铅的有效性,促进铅积累.     

水稻根表铁膜吸附镉及植株吸收镉的动态

采用营养液培养法研究了Cd处理时间对有铁膜和无铁膜水稻根表吸附Cd及植株吸收Cd动态变化的影响.水稻根表铁膜由50 mg·L^-1 Fe^2＋（Fe₅₀）诱导形成.供试植株在含10 μmol·L^-1Cd的营养液中生长不同时间后收获.结果表明, 随Cd处理时间的延长,无铁膜和有铁膜处理水稻根表DCB-Cd含量均为先增加后减少,Cd处理2 h达到最高,之后逐渐下降并趋于稳定. 根系和地上部Cd含量均持续上升,Cd处理8 h前增加缓慢,8 h后增加幅度加大.有铁膜水稻根系和地上部Cd含量增加幅度均低于无铁膜水稻.有铁膜处理DCB-Cd含量、根系和地上部Cd含量均低于无铁膜处理.表明铁膜不影响水稻各部分Cd含量随时间的变化趋势;不同Fe处理之间根系和地上部Cd含量的差异可能与根系含Fe量有关.     

广西矿区土壤镉、铅污染状况研究

对广西德保几个矿区尾矿土壤中镉和铅含量进行了测定,并初步探讨了土壤的污染状况。结果显示:土壤中镉和铅含量都超出了广西土壤环境质量标准的背景值(Cd 0.08 mg·kg^-1,Pb 20 mg·kg^-1),且镉含量明显超标,而铅在国家土壤环境质量标准下几乎无污染,但是已经达到广西土壤环境质量标准下的轻度污染;铜矿尾矿土壤中Cd的含量最高达2.16 mg·kg^-1,已超过国家的三级标准,对生态开始产生影响;硫铁矿尾矿下游土壤中Pb的含量达83.53 mg·kg^-1对生态基本无影响。土壤中Cd的含量随着pH值的升高而显著增加,而Pb的含量随着pH值的升高有所减少;土壤中Cd的含量不管就环境质量标准来说,还是单项污染指数,都属于严重污染级别,应减轻对生态环境的危害。因此应该引起相关部门的重视,及时采取措施控制污染源或者减轻污染程度。     

Cd胁迫下苎麻的生长响应与富集、转运特征研究

通过盆栽试验,分析了苎麻湘苎三号在Cd胁迫下生长响应及其富集、耐性和迁移特征.结果表明,低浓度Cd处理(≤100mgmg·kg^-1)能促进苎麻生长发育,株高、茎粗、有效分蘖数和生物量都有所增加,以50mg·kg^-1胁迫处理最佳;此后则随处理浓度增加抑制效应越明显,到500mg·kg^-1时,各营养生长指标较对照显著减少,但仍生长较好,表明苎麻对重金属Cd胁迫具有很强的耐性.地下部与地上部Cd含量随处理浓度提高而增加,至500 mg.k g-1浓度时达最高值,分别为221.95mg.kg-1和390.61mg·kg^-1.苎麻Cd富集系数和转运系数分别为0.47～1.10和0.57～0.94.因此,苎麻不属于Cd超富集植物,而只是Cd富集植物,鉴于其具有根系发达、保水固土能力强和地上部生物量大等特点,苎麻是目前重金属Cd污染修复较理想的植物.     

外源AsA、GSH对Cd胁迫下石竹幼苗生长的影响

采用温室盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度(0、20、40、60、80、100 mg·L^-1)的外源抗坏血酸(AsA)与谷胱甘肽(GSH)对50 mg·kg^-1镉(Cd)胁迫下石竹幼苗生长的影响.结果表明: 50 mg·kg^-1 Cd显著抑制了石竹幼苗的生长,适宜浓度的外源AsA能够缓解Cd对石竹幼苗生长的胁迫,显著提高其生物量、株高、分蘖数、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)等抗氧化酶活性,以及AsA和GSH含量,但随着外源AsA浓度的增加,缓解效应下降,甚至产生促氧化效应;外源GSH可以及时补充Cd胁迫下石竹幼苗体内的非酶抗氧化剂,但抗氧化酶活性变化相对较小,其缓解Cd毒害的主要机制可能是促进根系中金属螯合肽(PCs)的合成,增加其与Cd的螯合,从而降低石竹幼苗体内Cd含量.研究表明,35～45 mg·L^-1的外源AsA和55～65 mg·L^-1的外源GSH都能很好地缓解石竹幼苗Cd毒害,且前者效果优于后者.     

水稻对天然富硒土壤硒的吸收及转运

以杂交晚稻“皖稻205”为试验材料,采用盆栽试验方法,研究了不同硒含量（0.5、1.0、1.5 mg·kg^-1）土壤对水稻产量、硒的吸收、转运和分配的影响.结果表明： 土壤硒含量≤1.5 mg·kg^-1对水稻产量无明显影响;水稻根系、茎叶和籽粒中的硒含量均随着土壤硒含量增加而增加,并呈现根系＞茎叶＞籽粒的特点,籽粒各组成部分的硒含量呈现米糠＞精米＞稻壳的特点;水稻根系能从富硒土壤中富集硒,根系硒的吸收系数达1.86,而硒向籽粒的转运和积累则相对恒定,转运系数为0.53～0.59;土壤硒含量为0.5～1.0 mg·kg^-1所产的富硒大米（0.15～0.20 mg Se·kg^-1）,可满足人体60～80 μg·d^-1硒的需要量,而土壤硒含量≥1.5 mg·kg^-1所产大米硒含量达到0.319 mg·kg^-1,超出粮食硒含量安全标准.综合产量和籽粒硒含量的表现,在富硒土壤（0.5～1.0 mg·kg^-1）上直接生产富硒大米,而不需要添加外源硒,既降低了生产成本,又避免了可能造成的水土污染.     

黄河三角洲不同土地利用类型总铁分布特征及其影响因素

铁元素是植物生长所必需的营养元素之一，对维持湿地生态系统稳定和湿地生态功能发挥具有重要的作用。本研究以黄河三角洲地区8种不同土地利用类型、7种植被群落类型为对象，分析了土壤中总Fe含量的空间分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明：黄河三角洲土壤总Fe含量均值为24.28 g·kg^-1,其中，不同土地利用类型中，工矿区总Fe含量最高，为27.29 g·kg^-1,森林湿地和光滩中总Fe含量最低，分别为22.55、22.56 g·kg^-1;不同植物群落中芦苇覆盖下的土壤总Fe含量最高，为27.30 g·kg^-1。不同土地利用类型中的总Fe在0～10和10～20 cm深度的差异性显著(P<0.05);同一种土地利用类型在不同深度之间的差异性并不显著(P>0.05)。相关性分析表明，总Fe含量与有机质、总氮、铵态氮、碳酸氢根离子含量在每层均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。总Fe含量和分布还与成土母质、土壤类型、水文条件、氧化还原条件、人类活动等因素密切相关。     

五台山区不同海拔臭冷杉叶、枝、根的C、N、P化学计量特征研究

以山西省五台山3个海拔(2 050 m,2 150 m,2 250 m)臭冷杉林为研究对象，分析叶、枝及根的碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及化学计量特征。结果表明：(1)不同器官间C含量差异不显著，C含量叶(532.51 g·kg^-1)>根(521.04 g·kg^-1)>枝(505.53 g·kg^-1)；器官间N、P含量差异显著，N含量叶(17.30 g·kg^-1)>枝(11.49 g·kg^-1)>根(7.22 g·kg^-1);P含量枝(1.77 g·kg^-1)>叶(1.63 g·kg^-1)>根(1.04 g·kg^-1)。(2)不同器官化学计量差异显著，C/N表现为根(74.44)>枝(45.40)>叶(30.89),C/P表现为根(580.93)>叶(329.22)>枝(295.45),N/P表现为叶(10.65)>根(7...     

氧化钠胁迫下苯丙烯酸对黄瓜根际细菌DNA分子水平多态性的影响

采用PCR-DGGE技术,研究了NaCl（0、292.5、585 mg·kg^-1土）胁迫下,不同浓度苯丙烯酸（0、25、50、100、200 mg·kg^-1土）对黄瓜根际细菌DNA分子水平多态性的影响.结果表明：在黄瓜幼苗的不同时期,低浓度苯丙烯酸（50 mg·kg^-1土）处理使DGGE图谱中的条带数和条带灰度与对照（CK,0 mg·kg^-1土）相近,多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数最高;高浓度苯丙烯酸（100、200 mg·kg^-1土）处理使土壤DGGE图谱中的条带数减少,条带灰度变暗,多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数较低.表明NaCl胁迫下,低浓度苯丙烯酸缓解而高浓度苯丙烯酸加重了盐分对土壤微生物的胁迫.对目的条带的克隆测序结果表明,受影响的主要细菌类群多数为不可培养细菌及α-、γ-和β-变形菌门,有少部分属于厚壁菌门、酸杆菌门和放线菌门.     

风车草和香根草在人工湿地中迁移养分能力的比较研究

为研究风车草(Cyperus alternifolius)和香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)迁移养分的能力,建立17.0m²风车草潜流式人工湿地和13.3 m²香根草潜流式人工湿地处理猪场废水,在四个季节末测定植物生物量和组织氮、磷、铜、锌含量.结果表明,香根草地下部生物量大于风车草,地上部生物量则是风车草大于香根草.风车草年地上部收获量为3406.47 g·m^-2,比香根草的1483.88 g·m^-2高2.3倍;风车草的氮含量为22.69 mg·g^-1,比香根草的15.44 mg·g^-1高7.25 mg·g^-1;风车草的磷含量为6.09 mg·g^-1,比香根草的5.47 mg·g^-1高0.62 mg·g^-1.植株含铜、锌量风车草略比香根草高.风车草每年迁移N 68.72 g·m^-2和P18.49 g·m^-2,香根草迁移N 8.93 g·m^-2和P 3.69 g·m^-2.风车草人工湿地每年由植物迁移的氮、磷、铜、锌比香根草高4～7倍.     

Influence of external zinc and phosphorus supply on Cd uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings with root surface iron plaque

Rice seedlings were grown in hydroponic culture to determine the effects of external Zn and P supply on plant uptake of Cd in the presence or absence of iron plaque on the root surfaces. Iron plaque was induced by supplying 50 mg l⁻¹ Fe²⁺ in the nutrient solution for 2 day. Then 43-day-old seedlings were exposed to 10 μmol l⁻¹ Cd together with 10 μmol l⁻¹ Zn or without Zn (Zn–Cd experiment), or to 10 μmol l⁻¹ Cd with 1.0 mmol l⁻¹ P or without P (P–Cd experiment) for another 2 day. The seedlings were then harvested and the concentrations of Fe, Zn, P and Cd in dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB) extracts and in roots and shoots were determined. The dry weights of roots and shoots of seedlings treated with 50 mg l⁻¹ Fe were significantly lower than when no Fe was supplied. Adsorption of Cd, Zn and P on the iron plaque increased when Fe was supplied but Cd concentrations in DCB extracts were unaffected by external Zn or P supply levels. Cd concentrations in shoots and roots were lower when Fe was supplied. Zn additions decreased Cd concentrations in roots but increased Cd concentrations in shoots, whereas P additions significantly increased shoot and root Cd concentrations and this effect diminished when Fe was supplied. The percentage of Cd in DCB extracts was significantly lower than in roots or shoots, accounting for up to 1.8–3.8% of the plant total Cd, while root and shoot Cd were within the ranges 57–76% and 21–40% respectively in the two experiments. Thus, the main barrier to Cd uptake seemed to be the root tissue and the contribution of iron plaque on root surfaces to plant Cd uptake was minor. The changes in plant Cd uptake were not due to Zn or P additions altering Cd adsorption on iron plaque, but more likely because Zn or P interfered with Cd uptake by the roots and translocation to the shoots.     

Role of iron plaque in Cd uptake by and translocation within rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings grown in solution culture

A hydroponics culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of iron plaque on Cd uptake by and translocation within rice seedlings grown under controlled growth chamber conditions. Rice seedlings were pre-cultivated for 43 days and then transferred to nutrient solution containing six levels of Fe (0, 10, 30, 50, 80 and 100 mg L⁻¹) for 6 days to induce different amounts of iron plaque on the root surfaces. Seedlings were then exposed to solution containing three levels of Cd (0, 0.1 and 1.0 mg L⁻¹) for 4 days. In order to differentiate the uptake capability of Cd by roots with or without iron plaque, root tips (white root part without iron plaque) and middle root parts (with iron plaque) of pre-cultivated seedlings treated with 0, 30 and 50 mg L⁻¹ Fe were exposed to ¹⁰⁹Cd for 24 h. Reddish iron plaque gradually became visible on the surface of rice roots but the visual symptoms of the iron plaque on the roots differed among treatments. In general, the reddish color of the iron plaque became darker with increasing Fe supply, and the iron plaque was more homogeneously distributed all along the roots. The Fe concentrations increased significantly with increasing Fe supply regardless of Cd additions. The Cd concentrations in dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB)-extracts and in shoots and roots were significantly affected by Cd and Fe supply in the nutrient solution. The Cd concentrations increased significantly with increasing Cd supply in the solution and were undetectable when no Cd was added. The Cd concentrations in DCB-extracts with Fe supplied tended to be higher than that at Fe₀ at Cd_0.1, and at Cd_1.0, DCB-Cd with Fe supplied was significantly lower. Cd concentrations in roots and shoots decreased with increasing Fe supply at both Cd additions. The proportion of Cd in DCB-extracts was significantly lower than in roots or shoots. Compared to the control seedlings without Fe supply, the radioactivity of ¹⁰⁹Cd in shoots of seedlings treated with Fe decreased when root tips were exposed to ¹⁰⁹Cd and did not change significantly when middle parts of roots were exposed. Our results suggest that root tissue rather than iron plaque on the root surface is a barrier to Cd uptake and translocation within rice plants, and the uptake and translocation of Cd appear to be related to Fe nutritional levels in the plants.     

Effect of iron plaque outside roots on nutrient uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.): Phosphorus uptake

Under anaerobic conditions, ferric hydroxide deposits on the surface of rice roots have been shown to affect the uptake of some nutrients. In the present experiment, different amount of this iron plaque were induced on the roots of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TZ88-145) by supplying different Fe(OH)₃ concentrations in nutrient solutions, and the effect of the iron plaque on phosphorus uptake was investigated. Results showed that 1) iron plaque adsorbed phosphorus from the growth medium, and that the amount of phosphorus adsorbed by the plaque was correlated with the amount of plaque; 2) the phosphorus concentration in the shoot increased by up to 72% after 72 h at concentration of Fe(OH)₃ in the nutrient solution from 0 to 30 mg Fe/L, corresponding with amounts of iron plaque from 0.2 to 24.5 mg g^-1 (root d. wt); 3) the phosphorus concentration in the shoots of rice with iron plaque was higher than that without iron plaque though the concentration in the shoot decreased when Fe(OH)₃ was added at 50 mg Fe/L producing 28.3 mg g^-1 (root d. wt) of plaque; and 4) the phosphorus concentrations in Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient rice plants with iron plaque were the same, although phytosiderophores were released from the Fe-deficient roots. The phytosiderophores evidently did not mobilise phosphorus adsorbed on plaque. The results suggest that iron plaque on rice plant roots might be considered a phosphorus reservoir. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Natural variation in the promoter of OsHMA3 contributes to differential grain cadmium accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice

Rice is a major source of cadmium(Cd) intake for Asian people. Indica rice usually accumulates more Cd in shoots and grains than Japonica rice. However, underlying genetic bases for differential Cd accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice are still unknown. In this study, we cloned a quantitative trait locus(QTL) grain Cd concentration on chromosome 7(GCC7) responsible for differential grain Cd accumulation between two rice varieties by performing QTL analysis and map-based cloning. We found that the two GCC7 alleles, GCC7~(PA64s) and GCC7~(93-11), had different promoter activity of OsHMA3,leading to different OsHMA3 expression and different shoot and grain Cd concentrations. By analyzing the distribution of different haplotypes of GCC7 among diverse rice accessions, we discovered that the high and low Cd accumulation alleles, namely GCC7~(93-11) and GCC7~(PA64s), were preferentially distributed in Indica and Japonica rice,respectively. We further showed that the GCC7~(PA64s)allele can be used to replace the GCC7~(93-11) allele in the super cultivar 93-11 to reduce grain Cd concentration without adverse effect on agronomic traits. Our results thus reveal that the QTL GCC7 with sequence variation in the OsHMA3 promoter is an important determinant controlling differential grain Cd accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice.     

Using iron fertilizer to control Cd accumulation in rice plants: A new promising technology

Effects of two kinds of iron fertilizer, FeSO₄ and EDTA·Na₂Fe were studied on cadmium accumulation in rice plants with two rice genotypes, Zhongzao 22 and Zhongjiazao 02, with soil culture systems. The results showed that application of iron fertilizers could hardly make adverse effects on plant growth and rice grain yield. Soil application of EDTA·Na₂Fe significantly reduced the Cd accumulation in rice roots, shoots and rice grain. Cd concentration in white rice of both rice genotypes in the treatment of soil application of EDTA·Na₂Fe was much lower than 0.2 mg/kg, the maximal Cd permission concentration in cereal crop foods in State standard. However, soil application of FeSO₄ or foliar application of FeSO₄ or EDTA·Na₂Fe resulted in the significant increase of Cd accumulation in rice plants including rice grain compared with the control. The results also showed iron fertilizers increased the concentration of iron, copper and manganese element in rice grain and also affected zinc concentration in plants. It may be a new promising way to regulate Cd accumulation in rice grain in rice production through soil application of EDTA·Na₂Fe fertilizers to maintain higher content of available iron and ferrous iron in soils.     

Response of rice (Oryza sativa) with root surface iron plaque under aluminium stress

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rice (Oryza sativa) is an aquatic plant with a characteristic of forming iron plaque on its root surfaces. It is considered to be the most Al-tolerant species among the cereal crops. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of root surface iron plaque on Al translocation, accumulation and the change of physiological responses under Al stress in rice in the presence of iron plaque. METHODS: The japonica variety rice, Koshihikari, was used in this study and was grown hydroponically in a growth chamber. Iron plaque was induced by exposing the rice roots to 30 mg L(-1) ferrous iron either as Fe(II)-EDTA in nutrient solution (6 d, Method I) or as FeSO(4) in water solution (12 h, Method II). Organic acid in root exudates was retained in the anion-exchange resin and eluted with 2 m HCl, then analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after proper pre-treatment. Fe and Al in iron plaque were extracted with DCB (dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate) solution. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both methods (I and II) could induce the formation of iron plaque on rice root surfaces. The amounts of DCB-extractable Fe and Al on root surfaces were much higher in the presence of iron plaque than in the absence of iron plaque. Al contents in root tips were significantly decreased with iron plaque; translocation of Al from roots to shoots was significantly reduced with iron plaque. Al-induced secretion of citrate was observed and iron plaque could greatly depress this citrate secretion. These results suggested that iron plaque on rice root surfaces can be a sink to sequester Al onto the root surfaces and Fe ions can pre-saturate Al-binding sites in root tips, which protects the rice root tips from suffering Al stress to a certain extent.     

pH值和Fe、Cd处理对水稻根际及根表Fe、Cd吸附行为的影响

通过营养液-蛭石联合培养试验,设置系列pH值(4.5—7.5)和Fe、Cd处理,研究不同pH值及Fe、Cd浓度对水稻和蛭石表面Fe、Cd吸附的影响。结果表明,不同pH值处理下的根际氧化还原电位和酸度不同,0.9 mg/L Cd处理下的根际氧化势低于0.5 mg/L Cd,50 mg/L Fe处理下的根际酸度高于30 mg/L Fe处理。根表吸附Fe、Cd组分和数量都受根际Eh、pH值制约,根表Fe、Cd吸附量在处理pH值6.0时最低,并分别在处理pH值7.5和处理pH值4.5达到最高。但根系表面对Fe、Cd的吸附机制与蛭石表面不同,蛭石吸附Fe主要为晶态Fe,占到总沉积Fe的73%—87%;水稻根表沉积Fe以非晶态Fe为主,占总沉积Fe的91%—95%;与处理pH值和根际Eh间有显著的相关性(蛭石晶态Fe:ppH=0.011、pEh=0.042;水稻根表非晶态Fe:ppH=0.050、pEh=0.004)。蛭石表面交换态Fe及交换态Cd与处理pH值和Eh间存在显著的相关性(pH值:pFe<0.001、pCd=0.009;Eh:pFe=0.016、pCd=0.002),而根表交换态Fe及交换态Cd仅与处理pH值间有显著的相关性(pFe=0.007,pCd=0.048)。不同Fe、Cd浓度处理对根际Eh、pH值的升降和根表Fe、Cd吸附均有影响。与对照相比,增Cd处理可以降低根际Eh和升高pH值,减少溶液Cd浓度并增加根表Cd吸附量;增Fe处理则可以升高根际Eh和降低pH值,增加溶液Fe、Cd浓度并减少根表Fe、Cd吸附量。这是水稻应对Fe、Cd浓度胁迫的生理反应之一。     

Using iron fertilizer to control Cd accumulation in rice plants: A new promising technology

Effects of two kinds of iron fertilizer, FeSO4 and EDTA·Na2Fe were studied on cadmium accumulation in rice plants with two rice genotypes, Zhongzao 22 and Zhongjiazao 02, with soil culture systems. The results showed that application of iron fertilizers could hardly make adverse effects on plant growth and rice grain yield. Soil application of EDTA·Na2Fe significantly reduced the Cd accumulation in rice roots, shoots and rice grain. Cd concentration in white rice of both rice genotypes in the treatment of soil application of EDTA·Na2Fe was much lower than 0.2 mg/kg, the maximal Cd permission concentra- tion in cereal crop foods in State standard. However, soil application of FeSO4 or foliar application of FeSO4 or EDTA·Na2Fe resulted in the significant increase of Cd accumulation in rice plants including rice grain compared with the control. The results also showed iron fertilizers increased the concentra- tion of iron, copper and manganese element in rice grain and also affected zinc concentration in plants. It may be a new promising way to regulate Cd accumulation in rice grain in rice production through soil application of EDTA·Na2Fe fertilizers to maintain higher content of available iron and ferrous iron in soils.     

Iron nutrition affects cadmium accumulation and toxicity in rice plants

The effect of iron (Fe) nutrition on cadmium (Cd) toxicity and accumulation in rice plants was studied using a hydroponic system. The inhibitory effect of Cd on plant growth and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was dependent on Fe level and the genotype. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves and roots was not much affected by an increased Cd stress at 0.171 mg l⁻¹ Fe, but it showed a rapid increase when the plants were exposed to moderate (1.89 mg l⁻¹) and high (16.8 mg l⁻¹) Fe levels. High Fe nutrition caused a marked reduction in Cd content in both leaves and roots. Fe content in plants was lower at high Cd (5.0 μM) stress than at low Cd (<1.0 μM) stress. Cd stress increased both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities at low and moderate Fe levels. However, with high Fe level, it increased the POD activity, but reduced the SOD activity. Our results substantiate the hypothesis that cell membrane-bound iron transporter (carrier) involved in high-affinity iron transport systems can also transport Cd, and both these ions may compete for this common carrier. The study further showed that there were significant correlations between MDA and Fe contents in leaves and roots of rice plants. It is suggested that the occurrence of oxidative stress in plants exposed to Cd stress is mediated by Fe nutrition. The present results also show that Cd stress affects the uptake of Cu and Zn.