In recent decades, nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) has been found to be a promising approach for heavy metal remediation. This study is the first report highlighting the role of nZVI to ameliorate Cadmium (Cd) stress in rice along with its effects in expressions of transporter genes, agronomic parameters and grain nutrient status. Initially, 3 concentration of Cd (10, 50, 250 μM) and nZVI (50, 100, 200 mg L⁻¹) were selected. PCA analysis based on growth parameters, photosynthetic pigment contents and lipid peroxidation rate confirmed that 100 mg L⁻¹ nZVI was most suitable for remediation of 10 μM Cd. It was evident that, nZVI can alleviate Cd-induced toxic effects by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms and other physiological processes in plants. nZVI treated rice seedlings also showed upregulation of phytochelatins which aided in Cd chelation within vacuoles. Study of root morphology with scanning electron microscopy and ROS imaging with confocal microscopy confirmed that nZVI could alleviate oxidative stress due to Cd uptake. In nZVI treated rice seedlings, gene expressions of iron (Fe) transporters (like, IRT1,IRT2,YSL2,YSL15) which are responsible for both Fe and Cd uptake were significantly down-regulated whereas, OsVIT1 and OsCAX4 genes were over expressed which lead to sequestration of Cd in vacuoles. Cd localization assay with leadmium proved that Cd translocation was reduced with nZVI treatment. To further validate our findings a pot experiment was carried out where it was found that nZVI could immobilize Cd in soil prevented accumulation of Cd in rice grains in addition to improving yield.

在最近的几十年中，发现纳米级零价铁（nZVI）是一种有前途的重金属修复方法。这项研究是第一份强调nZVI缓解水稻中镉（Cd）胁迫的作用及其对转运蛋白基因表达，农学参数和谷物营养状况的影响的报告。最初，选择3种浓度的Cd（10、50、250μM）和nZVI（50、100、200 mg L ^-1）。基于生长参数，光合色素含量和脂质过氧化率的PCA分析证实100 mg L ^-1nZVI最适合修复10μMCd。显然，nZVI可以通过增强植物的抗氧化防御机制和其他生理过程来减轻Cd诱导的毒性作用。nZVI处理的水稻幼苗还显示出植物螯合素的上调，这有助于液泡中的Cd螯合。用扫描电子显微镜对根的形态进行研究，并用共聚焦显微镜对ROS成像进行研究证实，nZVI可以减轻由于Cd吸收引起的氧化应激。在nZVI处理的水稻幼苗中，负责摄取Fe和Cd的铁（Fe）转运蛋白（如IRT1，IRT2，YSL2，YSL15）的基因表达显着下调，而OsVIT1和OsCAX4基因过表达会导致液泡中的Cd隔离。用铅进行镉的定位试验证明，nZVI处理可减少镉的转运。为了进一步证实我们的发现，我们进行了盆栽试验，结果发现nZVI可以将Cd固定在土壤中，除了提高产量以外，还可以防止Cd在水稻籽粒中积累。