Sulfur application modifies cadmium availability and transfer in the soil-rice system under unstable pe plus pH conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the responses of cadmium (Cd) availability and transfer in the soil-rice system to added sulfur (S) under unstable pe + pH conditions. Different water management conditions (flooding and aerobic treatments) cause changes in the soil pe + pH. We conducted a pot experiment to investigate the influence of S supply on soil Cd availability and Cd accumulation in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.), using three water regimes (continuous dryness, alternating dry-wet for one cycle, and continuous flooding) combined with two S concentrations (0 and 300 mg/kg). The results showed that the flooding treatment was more effective in decreasing soil pe + pH, Cd availability, and Cd accumulation in rice tissues than were the aerobic treatments. S-induced reduction in Cd uptake and translocation in rice was attributed to the decreased soil pe + pH values and enhanced biosynthesis of phytochelatins (PCs) and glutathione (GSH) in rice roots. Microscopic examination showed that the flooding treatment with added soil S resulted in better rice root growth. Element dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis indicated that S addition and flooding treatment promoted the formation of iron plaques and increases in Fe concentration in rice tissues. Conversely, partial disintegration of the root epidermis was observed in the dry treatment without added S.