Oxic and anoxic conditions affect arsenic (As) accumulation and arsenite transporter expression in rice

Arsenic (As) exposure from rice consumption has now become a global health issue. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rice rhizosphere oxic conditions on silicate transporter (responsible for arsenite transportation) expressions, and on As accumulation and speciation in four rice genotypes, including two hybrid genotypes (Xiangfengyou9, Shenyou9586) and two indica subspecies (Xiangwanxian17, Xiangwanxian12). Oxic and anoxic treatments have different effects on root length (p < 0.001) and weight (p < 0.05). Total As concentrations in roots were dramatically lower in oxic treatments (88.8–218 mg/kg), compared to anoxic treatments (147–243 mg/kg) (p < 0.001). Moreover, root and shoot arsenite concentrations in oxic treatments were lower than that in anoxic treatments in arsenite treatments. The relative abundance of silicate transporter expressions displayed a trend of down-regulation in oxic treatments compared to anoxic treatments, especially significantly different for Xiangwanxian17, Xiangwanxian12 in Lsi1 expressions (p < 0.05), Xiangfengyou9, Shenyou9586, Xiangwanxian17 in Lsi2 expressions (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences of transporter expressions in different As treatments and genotypes. It may be a possible reason for low As accumulation in rice growing aerobically compared to flooded condition and a potential route to reduce the health risk of As in rice.